Olga Bibik new European Champion

Olga Bibik beats Anna Stöhr and Corinne Theroux to win the European Bouldering Championship 2004

June 2004

Lecco 23 June. Olga Bibik, truly impeccable, won the European Bouldering Championship this evening in perfect style, sending all 6 problems first go. Lecco in many respects is “her” city, seeing that she won a stage of the Bouldering World Cup here last year. This evening’s competition was truly exciting, and seldom have the athletes been able to climb as much as they did here. And rarely have so many fresh faces burst onto the international scene. First and foremost the sixteen year old Anna StÃ¶hr, who placed an excellent second. She too sent all six problems, but needed 15 attempts to complete her first masterpiece. Ever smiling, the Austrian climbed intelligently and tenaciously. And to think that she started bouldering seriously just a year ago... Third place goes to Corinne Theroux from France.

The sun rose over Piazza Cermenati early this morning for the Men's European Bouldering Championship. The competition starts at 9.00 am and 57 athletes will contend for the title, won by their counterpart Olga Bibik last night. It's a shame that Cristian Core, World Champion and defending European Champion, and the vice European Champion Mauro Calibani, couldn't attend due to injury, but the competition will be spectacular nevertheless.

The Qualifiers are expected to finish at 15.30, while the Final is set for 21.00. Things will no doubt heat up.