Janja Garnbret and Mia Krampl...

Janja Garnbret and Mia Krampl European youth champions in lead climbing.



At the European Youth Sport Climbing Championship, held from 12 to 14 June 2015 in Edinburgh, the Slovenian youth national team was the only one to win two gold medals. Cadet Janja Garnbret became European champion in lead climbing for the third time in a row, while Mia Krampl pleasantly surprised with a win in the older girls category.

Over 250 young sport climbers competed for the European youth champion title in Scotland, including eight members of the Slovenian youth sport climbing team led by selector Anžeta Štremflja, competing in the lead discipline. All qualified for the Saturday semi-finals, with five Slovenian sport climbers in the Sunday final.



Janja Garnbret (Šaleški AO) convincingly won the cadet category, becoming European youth champion for the third consecutive time. "I am very satisfied with my climbing. I am also glad that I succeeded in winning the European champion title for the third time in a row. I entered every route focused and determined, always reaching the top, which was my goal. After three international lead competitions, I will now focus on the European youth bouldering championship and the world youth championship at the end of August in Arc," said Janja, who will try to defend her title as last year's world youth champion in lead in Arc.



The biggest surprise came from Mia Krampl (AO PD Kranj) with her win in the older girls category, extremely happy with her best result so far: "Before the semi-final, I shared first place with two climbed qualification routes. Seven other girls in my category achieved the same result. The semi-final route was not too demanding, so I climbed it to the top without major issues. I went into the final determined and fell in the final section of the route, which was steady and without harder moves. I am very satisfied that I managed to win at the European Championship."



Also in the final were Tjaša Slemenšek (Šaleški AO), who took 7th place in cadets, and youths Martin Bergant and Milan Preskar (both PK Škofja Loka) with 4th and 5th places respectively. Three climbers ended in the semi-finals: Tjaša Kalan (AO PD Kranj) 12th among youth females, Lučka Rakovec (ŠPO PD Rašica) 13th among older girls, and Vita Lukan (ŠPO PD Radovljica) 16th place.



"The biggest surprise of this European Championship in Edinburgh is Mia Krampl's win among the older girls. With her 3rd place in Imst, she showed she can reach the top spots, yet the win at this year's most important competition is somewhat unexpected for me. Janja Garnbret once again showed truly good climbing in cadets, topping all routes without major problems. Her win was more expected, but no less valuable for our team. With all this year's results, she proves she is developing into a top-level competitor," summarized selector of the Slovenian youth team Anže Štremfelj, adding: "Our team was the only one to win two gold medals in lead, a good achievement. However, in some categories we could have done much better. Among male youths, female youths, and older girls, our climbers made several mistakes that cost them finals or even podium spots. Many were prepared much better than their results show. I am happy with all successes and motivated for further work with the team."