2011 Arco Rock Legends Winners Announced

7/22/11 - Czech climber Adam Ondra and Spain's Ramón Julian Puigblanque walked away last night with the annual Arco Rock Legends awards.

In a ceremony amidst the Arco World Championships, Ondra received the Salewa Rock Award, for which Sasha DiGiulian, Gabriele Moroni, Chris Sharma, and Enzo Oddo were also nominated. The Salewa award recognizes climbers' performances outdoors on sport climbs and boulders. This year alone, Ondra climbed four 5.15b's, three of which were first ascents. He also onsighted a record-breaking six 5.14c's. This is the third time Ondra has won the Salewa Rock Award (2008 and 2010). Past winners include Chris Sharma (2009), Patxi Usobiaga (2007), and Josune Bereziartu (2006).

Puigblanque was presented with the La Sportiva Competition Award, which recognizes last season's best competition climber. He was crowned the 2010 Lead World Cup champion, and has at least seven gold medals from World Cups since 2008. Other nominations went to Jain Kim of Korea and Ondra. Past winners include Akiyo Noguchi (2010), Kilian Fischhuber (2009), Maja Vidmar (2008), David Lama (2007), and Angela Eiter (2006).

Source: planetmountain.com