Weltmeisterlich! IFSC CLIMBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BOULDERING MUNICH 2014
Weltmeisterlich! IFSC CLIMBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BOULDERING MUNICH 2014
Josef Klenner President Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV)
As the world’s largest alpine sports club, the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) has regularly held international climbing competitions since the sport’s inception. This is why we were especially happy when, after hosting four Bouldering World Cups, we were finally able to host the World Championships. Thanks to the support we received from the City of Munich, our partners, numerous helpers and the crowds, whose excitement was palpable, we were able to experience an extraordinary event that can only proudly and unexaggeratedly be described as “worldchampion style.” The memories and feelings conjured up by this experience will remain in hearts and minds forever – and not only those of the athletes taking part. That’s why we’ve produced this book: to keep these feelings and memories alive.
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Matthias Keller Head of Competitive Sports Division Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV) Chief Organizer BWCH Munich
Even though we’ve played host to a number of international events, a World Championship is something else entirely. It’s with this in mind that our organizers set out to create something exceptional. That we could later celebrate a world champion and a bronze medal wasn’t something that we could have planned, but it put a cherry on top of the already momentous occasion of the World Championship. This book talks about just those moments as it conveys the passion of world-class climbing while connecting all of those who took part in this great event.
How it all began. We set the stage for the most important bouldering competition in the world, creating a place to test even the most accomplished and talented climbers.
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We invited the world to Munich. And more than 40 nations answered. A passion for bouldering and a spirit of friendliness brought us all together from across borders to celebrate climbing.
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We chose our best to compete with the world’s best. Ten of the best competitive rock climbers in Germany represented the DAV – to loud cheers from the local fans.
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No one, was there to have it easy. We carefully prepared routes to be mentally challenging and physically extenuating. We wanted them to think fast and to perform spectacular moves and they didn’t come short on both.
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We witnessed passion and fighting spirit. The climbers gave it their all at each boulder, longing to reach the next round.
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Every athlete knew, what was at stake. In this World Championship, there were only two options: Either you reach the top, or you don’t.
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As in every battle, we had wounded warriors. But the injuries didn’t keep the climbers from taking on the challenges ahead, persevering until every ounce of energy was used up.
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Some moves seemed impossible. But with the crowd’s support, the impossible became possible.
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Sometimes, you need more than one try to reach your goal. But the challenge lets us grow – both in bouldering and in real life.
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When someone’s got your back... …anything is possible! The public’s excitement was palpable, helping climbers mobilize their last reserves.
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Trust your skills Organizing an event like the World Championship can sometimes prove as challenging as a boulder. But we took it all in stride, going at it with the same sportsmanship and courage as the climbers. And although it was hard work, in the end we realized it was worth all the effort.
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Things don’t always work how you want them to. But you learn from your mistakes to do better the next time. The frustration that the boulderers scream out when they fall can be rechanneled on the next attempt into positive energy.
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O`bloct is! No matter if Oktoberfest or Boulder World Championships: Munich can party! Bavarian hospitality and its unique energy provided a great setting for this World Championship.
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Climbers are passionate. And not only when it comes to bouldering. As a sign of solidarity in the fight against cancer was the 10,000 “Hands for Life� campaign, a truly memorable moment.
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Every piece of the puzzle is important. We thank all the people who worked behind the scenes to help make this such a memorable event: all the hard-working staff, routesetters, judges and officials. And those from the media, who did a great job conveying the emotions and moments for the people that couldn’t be there with us live.
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We have a World Champion! And we crowned another one. We thank not only those two champions, but all who made this such a special event with their help, their passion and their cheers. You motivate us to be ready again for the next Boulder World Cup!
Weltmeisterlich! IFSC CLIMBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BOULDERING MUNICH 2014
Compiled and Edited by Ekko Images EkkoImages Publishing Zur Bergwiese Str. 5 – Planegg 82152 – Germany / Crisantemos 919 – Providencia – Chile Correspondence: andres@gron.cl Website: www.ekkoimages.com First published in Germany, 2014, by EkkoImages Publishing for the Deutscher Alpenverein - DAV Copyrights 2014 Deutscher Alpenverein e.V. All rights reserved Weltmeisterlich! IFSC CLIMBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BOULDERING MÜNCHEN 2014 Copyrights 2014 DAV and EkkoImages. All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or the DAV. All artwork, unless stated otherwise, is Copyright of the DAV or licensed by EkkoImages. All artwork that is not copyright to the DAV or EkkoImages is marked accordingly. Every effort has been made to ensure the credits and contact information listed is correct. However, if any errors have occurred the editors, publishers and the DAV disclaim any liability and respectfully direct people to their website www.alpenverein.de for any updated information or corrections needed. Thanks to all contributing photographers: Andrés Beregovich - Bernd Kremer & Nico Altmaier (Vertical Axis) - Marco Kost Printed in Germany
DAV - Partner
IFSC - Partner Die Veranstalter
Weltmeisterlich! IFSC CLIMBING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BOULDERING MUNICH 2014