ABS NATIONALS

 

 

 

           The Spot Gym bustled with love and energy on Valentine’s Day, as spectators filled the floor to capacity eager to watch the 2009 ABS Nationals - eager, and a little confused.

 

 

            Why the confusion? The ABS scoring format had again changed. This time the ABS decided to conform to the world standard and utilize World Cup scoring system established by the IFSC. This system takes into account the number of completed problems, the number of attempts to complete the problem, and bonus points (a hold designated to have a point value). The confusion, thankfully, didn’t stop competitors and spectators alike from enjoying a stellar turn out.

 

 

 

 

            The women’s field emerged from isolation, and they were immediately faced with formidable opponent, Problem #1. The problem opened with an awkward mantle to a leaning reach followed by tenous moves on sloping holds. While most of the women’s field struggled on this problem, Alex Puccio and Alex Johnson made it look easy.

 

 

 

 

           The Colorado girls were two of only three women to see the top of any of the problems. The only other female competitor to complete a problem was dark horse, Chauncenia Cox, who completed problems #2 and #3, putting her in second place behind Alex Johnson. Alex Puccio took third respectfully.

 

 

            Any confusion about the outcome of the women’s category was quickly erased with the appearance of Max Zolotukhin, the climber formally known as “ ”. Max was the first competitor to “emerge” out of isolation for the men. Max wore a skin tight, hot pink unitard (claims that it was a high school wrestling uniform cannot be substantiated).

 

 

            While the audience diverted their eyes, Max’s camel-toe spandex floss did nothing to increase his speed or agility, but it did get his name in DPM’s coverage of the comp, which probably was the point.

 

 

 

            Aside from the circus theatrics, the men’s field was a hodge podge of gimps and the afflicted. Sean McColl was climbing with a cold, Paul Robinson had not been seen since breaking his ankle, and Julian Bautista walked into isolation with a bucket because he had food poisoning. Julian finished 5^th  with no warm up, and with his bucket of puke in hand. Julian’s brother Michael was quoted as saying, “This stinks, he throws up between each problem and still beats me!”

 

 

            As the competition continued, the anticipation grew. The crowd was waiting to see how Paul Robinson would fare. This would be Paul’s first competition since injuring his ankle this fall. Could he pull off a win?  

 

     

 

            Ultimately, the answer was, “no.” Paul displayed competitive spirit and illustrated his strengths by topping the first three problems, but was unable to top Problem #4, a carefully crafted masterpiece designed by routesetter Jamie Emerson.

 

 

             This problem started with a dynamic, audience pleasing jump to a jug, followed by hard moves into a two handed dyno to two pinches, before exiting on technical off balance moves for the top out.

 

 

            This problem, this montant idéal de la résistance, proved to be the perfect finals problem. Emerging from his isolation chair, having completed the three previous problems, was local homeboy Daniel Woods. Showing the strength and poise of a champion, Daniel turned to face problem #4, and then...

He flashed it.

 

All photos courtesy of Wade David

 

Men’s Results

1) Daniel Woods

2) Paul Robinson

3) Sean McColl

4) Ethan Pringle

5) Julian Bautista

6) Johnny Goicoechea

7) Carlo Traversi

8) Magnus Midtboe

9) Nalle Hukkataival

10) Ryan Sewell

 

Women’s Results

1) Alex Johnson

2) Chauncenia Cox

3) Alex Puccio

4) Gabi Masse

5) Lisa Rands

6) Kate McGinnis

7) Kasia Pietras

8) Sydney McNair

9) Tiffany Hensley

10) Elizabeth Asher