15.06.2014
The final day of the European Youth Championship is behind us, which was even more successful than the qualifiers. Out of six finalists, as many as three climbed onto the podium, thus securing gold, silver, and bronze for Slovenia.
Janja Garnbret defended her title as European champion from last year in the older girls' category and confirmed the title also in 2014. In the same category, Tjaša Slemenšek ensured double celebration and proved that she can also show in the final what she consistently achieves in qualifiers, thus taking an excellent 3rd place.
Martin Bergant climbed the final route very well today and thus confidently reached the top, but unfortunately, his slightly weaker performance in the qualifiers (he was 4th) cost him the victory. Martin took 2nd place.
Anže Peharc, Milan Preskar, and Katja Kadič also competed in the final. Katja was closest to the podium, taking 5th place with good climbing, while Anže and Milan were 10th and 9th respectively.
STATEMENTS: Our best performers said about their performance at the championship:
Janja, gold: "After a small mistake in the second qualifier route, I qualified for the final as 5th. After a small disappointment, I was firmly determined to correct that mistake in the final. I was well prepared for the final route, and full of confidence, I entered it. Up to where I fell, the route was very nice and personally suited to me. I am very happy to have won the European youth champion title again and I can't wait for new competitions."
Martin, silver: "After 4th place in the qualifiers, I knew I couldn't lose anything in the final. I climbed very relaxed and found rest that some competitors didn't. This helped me climb the route to the top, but unfortunately due to slightly worse climbing in the qualifiers, it wasn't enough for victory."
Tjaša, bronze: "Both qualifier routes, which I climbed without problem, gave me motivation to show good climbing also in the final. I liked the final route. Due to a missed hold, I lost the possibility to continue the route. Still, I am very happy with 3rd place, as these are my first podium at European level."