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Last weekend, an incredible climbing competition took place in the picaresque setting of Bilbao, Spain. The Master Series Psicobloc event was held on a 50ft high wall above the water of the Bilbao Estuary. Nearly 5,000 people gathered to watch history in the making as climbers. As it turns out, our very own spiderman, Chris Sharma, put on quite a show (massive understatement).

As a poster-child for the climbing world, Chris continues to set the standard and blaze a trail few can keep up with. Chris is known for completing mind-blowing climbs including regional favorite: Es Pontas of Mallorca, Spain.

In the event, Chris was the only competitor able to conquer the double dyno (meaning two ridiculously difficult maneuvers) and top the feature. Needless to say, first place was all his!

Climbing and outdoor juggernaut, prAna, was able to catch up with Chris shortly after his monumental win. We’ve (politely) borrowed a few words from the spiderman himself as quoted on prAna‘s blog:

“It was such an awesome event, unbelievable actually” said Chris. He continued to explain, “climbing high over the water, with no rope, changed my perception of what was possible in climbing.  It is without doubt for me the purest form of climbing, as well being very spectacular.”

Right now, the sport of climbing is growing faster than the mane atop Chris’ head… All eyes seem to be on the sport as its ambassadors a bringing things to new heights- quite literally.

Chris went on to say, “The high adrenaline and big falls make it a super spectacular spectator sport, more so than any other climbing competition format…

…Looking back on the years when climbing was in the X Games but just couldn’t translate to the mainstream audience because if its slow subtle nature, this new form of competition will surely blow the minds of any non climber and I believe will be a key element in climbing becoming a more mainstream sport.”

Chris smilin’ big on the podium. Wait a minute, are those mad scientists??

Check out just how gnarly Chris’s performance is… And you thought climbing the social ladder was tough…

For more information on the competition visit: http://bit.ly/aqntZo

Modern day spiderwoman, Sierra Blair-Coyle, has been quite the show stopper this year! At just 16 years of age, Sierra qualified to compete in the 2010 IFSC Professional Bouldering World Cup. At the ABS Nationals, Blair-Coyle was the lone 16-year-old to finish in the top 5 at the qualifying event. As perhaps the top rock climber of her age, Blair-Coyle has proven that she has the talent to make big moves at the elite level.

(via: sierrabc.com)

At the Teva Mountain Games, Blair-Coyle was among the athletes competing on an artificial climbing wall with a height of nearly 20 feet. 20 feet? No big deal right? …Wrong-O! The wall was for bouldering…where ropes aren’t used.

Many tout bouldering as the fastest growing segment of rock climbing due to the high risk- high reward factor. Climbers are given scores based on how far up the wall they can climb without falling. As always, the top of the wall marks the desired destination.

For Sierra, the Teva Moutain Games proved a perfect opportunity for Sierra to size up the stacked field of elite women climbers. In an Bennington Banner article, Sierra said she had, “never seen so many talented people in one place” and “…knew it was going to be a super-tough competition.”

(via: sierrabc.com)

As the youngest competitor in the women’s division, Blair-Coyle finished an impressive 18th out of 34 with no regrets. She was stoked on her performance and knew that she had given it her best effort. Competition at the elite level opened Blair-Coyle’s eyes to a wide world. She returned home a with a rejuvenated focus. Don’t let the sweet sixteen stigma fool you, Sierra already has some pearls of wisdom in those chalk pockets of hers. She knows what she needs to work on—strength. Because, “the stronger you are, the easier it is to go slower.”

For a complete rundown of results visit www.tevamountaingames.com.

For anything and everything Sierra Blair-Coyle related visit www.sierrabc.com.