Lena and me directly after the final.
Last weekend the European Youth Boulder Cup was hosted in a huge shopping mall in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The competition venue was a boulder gym which was inaugurated officially in May this year. Slaps, overhangs and freely suspended bouldering blocs were main parts of the wall the athletes had to climb up.
The Bulgarian route setters and organizators made a good job. Before I was arriving in Sofia I was a little bit sceptic how the competition will be but finally I have to say that they could accomplish a standard I am used to other competitions in Western Europe.
I could flash 7 out of 8 problems in the qualification. On the last one I was very close too but messed up holding a bad sloper before top. Therewith I became 2nd place after Michael Piccolruaz from Italy. He could top out every problem.
The final went quite well again. I was very close to finish the first and third problem falling on the last hard move. The second one I ticked easily in the first try. Michael did a superior performance topping out every boulder in the final so that he won the overall result, I got 2nd and Alex Khazanov from Israel 3rd. He was flashing the second problem too but couldn’t reach the bonus holds of the others ones in the first try as I did.
David in the last final problem – Pic by Lena Herrmann
My team mate and good friend Lena Herrmann had a great run at the final’s day too. She nearly flashed the first problem but couldn’t do the last powerful move from a slopy crimp on to a good edge. Before the second final boulder she seeded 2nd. In the end because of strong will and temperament she pushed herself hard ticking the last two problems in her first try. That’s why she finally landed on the very top of the podium. Great job Lena and my congrats to You for your first gold medal on a European Youth Boulder Cup!
It was nice to travel for a longer distance again. New people, new experiences and a little adventure again. I hopefully will return to Bulgaria next year!
Cheers David 
-> Article at the website of the local training group of Hanover
-> Article at www.kletternimnorden.de
The podium of the Junior’s category – Pic by Lena Herrmann