The problems were creative and the athletes moved like monkeys at this years American Bouldering Series National Championships on February 13-15, 2009 at The Spot Bouldering Gym in Boulder, Colorado. In its 10th season, ABS routesetting is definitely world-class. In fact, finalist Max Zolotukhin called the four men's and four women's lines "the best problems in a comp ever." The routesetting team, headed by Kynan Waggoner, added an eight-foot plywood extension to the back wall for some serious highball action. The top three male and female winners in this event will represent the United States at this years Bouldering World Cup, hosted by the Teva Mountain Games at Vail, Colorado June 4 to 7. Visit: USA Climbing and The Spot Gym for more info.
Emily Harrington.
The man of the night, Daniel Woods.
Daniel Woods.
Traversi sticks the dyno on men's #4.
Carlo Traversi gives the crowd some excitement.
After reaching the top of the tall extension on mens #2, Paul Robinson eyes the landing. Still rehabilitating a from a broken ankle in October, Robinson claims it was "definitely scary at the top." 15. Women's #4 dyno action.
Women's winner Alex Johnson, age 19, on women's #4. This problem best matched her self proclaimed style: "Better holds and bigger moves."
Alex Johnson.
Daniel Woods.
Men's winner Woods' flash of men's #4, the only send of the problem (estimated to be a hard V10 by setter Jamie Emerson).
Matt Segal manages a foot-over-head holdless smear.
The spectators enjoyed the drama, and Woods' flash of men's #4 especially lit them up.
Alex Johnson
Paul Robinson and Alex Puccio.
Alex Puccio.
Puccio sets up for the big dyno that started off women's #4.
Paul Robinson.
Paul Robinson.
Your leading ladies: Puccio (3rd), Johnson (1st), and Cox (dark-horse 2nd).
Your leading ladies: Puccio (3rd), Johnson (1st), and Cox (dark-horse 2nd).
Your manly men: Sean McColl (3rd), Woods (1st), and Robinson (2nd)
Plastic-monkeys Matt Segal and Amy Cockerham.
Your manly men: Sean McColl (3rd), Woods (1st), and Robinson (2nd)
ABS 10 was held on Valentine's Day. Couple Traversi and Puccio celebrated with roses and chocolates and were gracious enough to pose for the cheesy V-day photo.
Amy Cockerham.
Style-master Carlo Traversi.
16-year-old Chauncenia Cox is climbing the ranks quickly, over-taking Lisa Rands and Alex Puccio this time around. In fact, she was the only woman to topout women's #2. "I was mad after the first problem because I didn't do too well. I turned the disappointment into energy and I wouldn't stop for anything."
