Wednesday 9 July 2014

Imst with Paraclimbing Team GB

 

It was great being in Austria with the team and experiencing my first international competition as a 'sight caller' at Imst. I worked mainly with Gwyn Roberts, John Churcher and young Reanne Racatoo, all in the VI catergories (Visually Impaired).

France and GB taking the VI medals (Male b2)
Gwyn and John won silver and bronze and Reanne narrowly missed a medal with an excellent effort achieving 4th place in her category. I have coached a few VI's now and have a strategy that seems to work but I was really proud to work closely with Reanne in Austria with the addition of her cerebral palsy. Her courage was dumbfounding and really struck me.


Reanne preparing for our warm up
Reanne competing on the 7a
John about to go on 7a route
Spain, France & Germany taking their medals
I was also sight guiding in the day with the VI team members and only managed to bump John's head once! It was a fantastic and intense experieince and have made some great new friends within the GB Team and other nations. Italy next...

Full GB Paraclimbing Team on their rest day

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