I was pretty bummed because without that third bonus hold I knew I probably wasn’t going to make finals. I then get a text from my buddy and fellow 5.10 athlete Josh Levin who crushed in the comp by the way, that I had made it!?! At first I thought he was just messing with me, so I text him back, “Are you serious??”. He then calls me and confirms that I did indeed make into Finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just went crazy, running all around Spicy Pickle, the restaurant that I was eating at, not being able to contain my excitement!!! Haha. I then went back to my hotel and took a very nice nap before heading over to the wall for finals. They ran finals in a world cup format style. In the world cup format style; they bring out the competitors one by one and introduce them to the crowd. Then both the male and female preview their 1st problem, climb it and so on for #2 and #3. As I was the last to make finals, I was out first to climb.
Finals 1 (Bonus)
The first problem was not your usual problem, it started with a goofy but fun mantle to friction paper in the shape of two hands, and then you fell into a pocket and threw out to a jug. In order to get to the next hold I a figure 4 came in handy. This was the first time that I had ever utilized a figure 4 so my first few attempts at reaching the next hold were rather sloppy. Lol After several attempts I ended up sticking the bonus hold, but falling shortly after in attempting to reach the next hold. I gave it a few more burns and managed to touch the second to last hold. It was cool being able to go 1st out on each of the problems, I felt it was a lot less stressful because you did not have to sit in the chair and wonder how everyone else had done. I was not stressed though for Finals because I did not have any expectations, I just too busy having too much fun; just happy to be in finals. No one managed to send problem #1 for the men, se we all entered problem #2 ready to take revenge and SEND!!
Finals 2 (Send)
As soon as we turned around to preview the problem and I saw how the problem was, I knew this one was going to be fun. It suited my style perfectly. First attempt I just barely missed a key hold. Second time around I knew what had to be done, turned it on and Sent!! To my surprise problem #2 gave the others some trouble. The last move was rather unforgiving and spit off several of the climbers on the first attempts to the top.
Finals 3 (Bonus)
Going into problem #3, I knew if I wanted, any chances of winning I was going to have at least get the bonus hold on my first try and or send the problem. I had a really good burn on the problem, just barely missing the finish hold after a rather large dyno that had skipped the last half of the problem. I had some good goes after this one, but this by far was my best attempt.
In the end, I ended up finishing in a very impressive 2nd place next to the very talented Sean Mcoll from Canada. I cannot describe to you how ecstatic I was when I had found out that I had placed 2nd in the 2011 Open ABS Nationals, earning me the title “2011 ABS NATIONAL CHAMPION.” I still cannot believe it! Haha
Next up is Youth ABS Nationals (Feb, 18-20). Then Canadian Nationals, World Cup in Canada, Vail and Arco Finals which is held in Italy this year! 2011 is going to be one fun year cannot wait! J
Special thanks to all of my sponsors who have helped me throughout the years: Rock Candy Holds, Organic and Five Ten, and a very special thank you to my family and MOM!!!
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