Posts Tagged ‘news’
As some of you may already know, I am no longer part of the Dutch Climbing Team. But since I’m still getting the random question every now and then asking me what happened, I thought I’d take some time now to tell you all the story behind it.
Last month, I had a conversation with coach Wally about my performance with the team for 2012. I always feel in good form during training, but it doesn’t seem to reflect with my results on the actual competition. I really wanted to give it my all during the National Championships, but with me just recovering from my knee injury, there really isn’t much that I can do. Then there was the recently announced budget cuts by the NOC*NSF. Sportsclimbing will receive less financial aid starting this year. This means a leaner Dutch climbing team with a focus on developing young talent.
I myself have thought about giving up my position on the team a number of times last year. I feel like I’ve reached a certain point where I need to choose a new direction for my life. So when the coach told me I was being cut from the program, it didn’t took me much to accept his decision. It has been a great 3 years being part of the Dutch Climbing Team. I got to train with some of the best talents our sport has produced and I was able to meet other great athletes from all parts of the globe. I’ll also never forget the friendships I was able to make within the team and that special feeling of working together towards a same goal. So I say a deep and heartful thank you to everyone for allowing me to be a part of this. And I wish the future members good luck and hope they will have the same awesome experience that I had.
Of course I won’t stop climbing. I may be ready to take on new challenges with my life but I won’t be turning my back on climbing just like that. Its a sport I truly love and enjoy. You may even see me in a few more competitions. We will see. But its over and out for now.
At this very moment, the World Championship is being held at Arco, Italy. All 3 disciplines of climbing are available: boulder, lead and speed!
In a few days, I’ll fly to Italy to join the lead competition. Dutch lead team will be represented by: Elko Schellingerhout, Tim Reuser, Nikki van Bergen and me. I’m so psyched!!
Check out the trailer below.
More international competitions will follow soon while my prep is in full progression.
At the moment I’d just like to climb a lot. When I check the startlist from Chamonix, I see a lot of strong men i.e. Adam Ondra, Jakob Schubert, Ramon Julian Puigblanque, Magnus Midtbø, Sean McColl etc etc.
On the webpage of Magnus I found a video in which he shows how hard he’s been training. He’s too strong, I need to share this with you.
One million euro question: Can Truong perform an one finger pull up? Nope, I’d like to keep my fingers un injured. What about you?
[poll id="14"]
Time flies so fast. Meanwhile it was a week ago that the Worldcup boulder was downtown at Eindhoven.
I spotted another video about the Worldcup boulder at Eindhoven on the webpage of Udo Neumann. It gives a really nice impression about the competition behind the scenes. Check it out yourself when rain pours down on Eindhoven!
The next worldcup on the calender already took place this weekend in Barcelona. If we scan the Dutch team on the result list, we find a nice result from Nicky de Leeuw who advanced to the semis yet again and ended up 18th, whereas Casper ten Sijthoff finished on 27th, Wouter Jongeneelen on spot 39 and Vera Zijlstra on spot 26. The rest of the results are here.
Would you like to follow more news about the Dutch climbing team? Click on the ‘Like’ button at Facebook! I like!
Today the first boulder qualification competition will be held at Rocksteady Bussum. The weather conditions doesn’t look so promising to me, especially when all the problems are set outdoor in the garden!
Oh well, there is only one way to find out.
Wish me luck, I’ll update you later.
Last weekend a Regional Mountaineering day was held at Bussum Rocksteady climbing gym.
The climbing federation invited me to show a demonstration for lead climbing on a high level. When I entered the climbing gym it was pretty crowded and there were lots of climbing activities going on.
Boulder workshops, speed climbing, free fall, free fun climbing, mountain biking, drytool and lead climbing demonstration, GPS tour, you name it everything was possible.
Among all the people I ran into spokesperson Joost Hofman, ice climber Marianne van der Steen and former team member Ferdinand Schulte.
At half past 1 Marianne was showing how to use drytools. She set a challenging route using chunks of trees! It was nice to see how she locks off her arms to reach the next hold with her axes.
Trees are coolAt 2 P.M. it was my turn to perform in front of a crowd. My task was to show how to climb a difficult route. While Joost was introducing me to the crowd I was already busy climbing the route. My mindset was set to climb with precision and focusing on the holds. It took me a few minutes to finish the route and my job was done.
After my route, Joost asked me a few more questions about the national team. Yes, we have 6 boulder members and 4 lead climbers including me. Curious who’s part of the national team? Click here to check the selection!
Ferdinand was leading workshops to teach people how to climb even better. Later on I spotted him climbing with axes too! Unbelievable, it looks so funny yet powerful.
It was nice to be a climbing example to everyone. I’m glad I was part of this Regional Mountaineering day and I hope many kids / people keep on climbing.
By the way, come Saturday I’ll be at Bussum Rocksteady again to join the first boulder competition. Hopefully the sun will keep on shining like last weekend!
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