The news

On 14/05 Christian Bindhammer repeated Action Direct 9a in the Frankenjura, first climbed by Wolfgang Güllich in 1991.

On 24 April the Italian climber Stefania Daniele repeated “La danza dei cavalieri”, 8a+, at the Grotta dell’Areonauta, Sperlonga.

On 13/04 Christian Bindhammer frees "Zauberfee" 8c+, at the Eremo di S. Paolo (Arco). And his brother Andreas Bindhammer repeats it a few days later.

Luca Giupponi spent his Easter holiday in France's St. Leger du Ventoux, where he on-sighted his first 8b, “Stiquell Man”. he then spent the remaining days redpointing Abregenenief” 8b, “Moi…” 8a/8a+ and “Le maride de la balene” 8a+.

Cristian Brenna repeats Cristallica (Fb7c/c+) followed by Miki" Giannattasio and Simone Pedeferri. Brenna also repeats Spirit Walker (8c) as does Giorgio Piasini at the Sasso Remenno.

15 year old Gabriele Moroni climbs Fb8b before settting off to Fontainebleau. Ascents also by Luca and Giulia Giammarco.

Josune Bereciartu sends Solaris Fb 8a+ at the Cueva de Balzala

During a recent trip to Fontainebleau, Paris, Luca Parisse sent “C'était demain", 8a, and La chose, 7c+

Saturday April 5th 2003, first edition of A5 Day, international bouldering day organised by The North Face in co-operation with leading climbing halls across Europe.

Maurizio Oviglia continues to forge new routes in Sardinia.

Stefano Alippi has made the third repeat Les Sindacalistes, Cornalba's famous 8c+.

On 23 February the 28 year old Yuri Parimbelli repeated "C'era una volta in America" 8c, Cornalba.

On 19/02/2003 the German climber Alex Huber soloed Opportunist 8b, Schleierwasserfall, Austria

At the start of February British climber Adrian Berry made the first ascent of Britain's third E10, Blind Vision.

The Italian climbers Cristian Brenna and Riccardo Scarian have made the most of the cold, clear weather to free some old projects dotted around northern Italy.

Last week the British climber Neil Gresham made an impressive second ascent of Neil Bentley's gritstone Equilibrium, E10 7a.