The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho, has been awarded the 2010 World Youth Climbing Championships, plus a leg of next year's European Youth Championships.
The award announcements, made by the International Federation of Sports Climbing,are the first fruit borne by the decision to invest in two new competition walls, currently under construction.
The walls, jointly funded by Edinburgh Leisure and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians, meet the technical criteria to attract world competitions - something that, until now, has not been possible due to the lack ofa suitableover-hang. They will also provide even more climbing routes for beginners and intermediate climbers, thus increasing the climbing capacity in what is already the world's largest indoor climbing arena.
City of Edinburgh Council Festival and Events Champion Steve Cardownie said:
“The EICA has come a long way in the last year and the centre's top class facilities are now starting to attract major world climbing events. I'm sure it will be the first of many because we now haveone of the best climbing centre's in the world.
"The World Youth Championships is a key event on the climbing calendar and Edinburgh will, as always, be a fantastic host.”
The Championships, which will last for six days in September 2010, will test over 300 male and female competitors on both speed climbing and lead climbing disciplines.
Local Edinburgh climbers will see this as a huge opportunity to impress on home soil, particularly given the pool of young talent already training at the centre. Natalie Berry, 17, placed third in last year’s European Youth Series, has trained weekly at the centre since it opened in 2003.
"The new walls will provide a world-class facility to aid me in my training for international competitions. I have competed and trained on many structures all around the world, and to have such a great facility on my doorstep is truly exciting, she said.
“It will be fantastic to perform in front of a home crowd and bring people from different countries from around the world to experience Scotland’s culture.”
EICA senior instructor, Neil McGeachy, added:
“Since Edinburgh Leisure has taken over EICA, we have had the backing and support to put in place one of the most extensive coaching structures for young climbers in the country. It's mouth watering to think about the coaching opportunities these phenomenal new climbing walls will bring to an already top class climbing facility.
“Hosting events, such as EYCs and World Championships, will also play a massive part in raising the sport's profile and inspiring future generations of competition climbers in our area.”
Edinburgh Leisure is working with the British Mountaineering Council, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, EventScotland, City of Edinburgh Council, as well as approaching other organisations: VisitScotland, Edinburgh Convention Bureau, SEEL and sportscotland, to maximise the full potential of the event.
With over 300 competitors bringing families and supporters from across the globe, the event will also provide a huge boost to the local economy as visitors seek accommodation and hospitality in hotels, universities and campsites throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.
This year's competition is being held in Sydney in August. Details from www.sportclimbingaustralia.org.au/1.0/WYC/default.htm
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