ponedeljek, 20. oktober 2014

Wujiang

After a really pleasant stay at Seoul, we arrived at Wujiang. I had already good memories of this location, where I won the master event in 2012 and WC stage in 2013. But honestly, I didn't feel  any expectations or pressure to repeat this. I really just wanted to climb and enjoy as I do in the moment.
Qualifications went quite well. I fell (again) from the top on the first route and finished the second. In the semifinal I finished 2nd, by reaching the upper part still fresh, but missed a good part of big hold. Maja Vidmar definitely showed in this route, what it means to climb well and went with the lead going into the finals.

After observation of final, I was quite worried about the route. This is not  really common to me. Usually I feel excitement and just want to climb. Well, I tried to be relaxed, because last week I had a bit similar expectations, but it turned, that I was wrong. 
Foto: Roman Krajnik
Well, this time, I wasn't wrong. From start, I had to try hard and fight on almost every move. The beginning was technical, slabby and cruxy, but (for me) it also offered a solid rest point(s) where I could  took a deep breath, recover properly and continue into next hard section(s).  

I regret that more than above 1/3 of route was still left untouched and I couldn't enjoy it. But even so, I was satisfied with my climbing and happy about the 2nd gold in a row.
The next comp is coming up next weekend in Inzai, Japan. Honestly,  all I want is to keep those good feelings in me and rnjoy climbing, no matter of what happens there. For another couple of days, we are staying in China, train, rest, relax, explore and have good time with my team and the other teams.

Seoul

Between comps in Mokpo and Wujiang with our and some other teams we staid together in Seul.
foto: Domen Škofic
This place made big impression to me and I really liked it. Big city, coverd by many people, rush and shining lights at the evening. Unique one.
I was also very happy and plesed, that we could climb at The Ja's. Thanks! ;) It was perfect and those days will stay in my memmories for a while.

torek, 14. oktober 2014

Lucky Korea

The first step of our journey is now behind us. I just loved it from the moment I arrived to Korea, took a long bus from Inchon to Mokpo, settled down at International football training center and went on to the comp the next day. Everything felt so good and nostalgic, filling me with good memories from the previous year(s). 
I couldn't wait for qualifications to start. I did the first route and fell in second, going to the top. But, even though I didn't top out both routes, I was happy about  how good I felt on the wall.
Next day, in semifinal, I climbed the highest, but ran out of the time. That was a mistake,that almost never happens to me. But, it was good go for the final.

Routes this time were very interesting, quite a bit different than usual. Wall was coverd nicely with many volumens and trought the route you  had to 'work' something  all the time, swing  your feet from left to right, cross, match, help, bump one more, ... Definitely very good work by routesetters and fun stuff to climb! :)
The final route looked pretty hard, but nice. It turned out that the beginning was truly a bit tricky and harder, but the higher you were, more fluid it become. I climbed well all the way up to the top, but (again!) fell from the last hold. I touched the ground with really mixed feelings, satisfied with my climbing, but pretty angry and regretting that I couldn't finish this nice line. Well, I sat on the 'leader chair' and waited till the end of the comp... After a mistake made by JaIn Kim, I took the gold.
What is even more important to me is that I had enjoyed every single route and moment on this comp. And this is the feeling that I want to keep for the next events.

Also big congratulations go to young teammate Domen Škofic, who got his first silver medal and is already second this year!
All foto: Roman Krajnik
In next days, we will stay with other teams in Seoul and I am sure we will have a good time training, sightseeing and spending time together till our next stop in Wujiang (China).

sreda, 8. oktober 2014

3, 2, 1 ... Asia! :)

Before going to Asia, I took about two weeks (international) competition break and time to rest and preapre for next 3 lead world cup steps.

Comming home from last of 4 stages rush of championship, masters and other comps, I admit, what is not often, I felt a bit tired. Not physically, but overloaded with all the fellings, emotions and impressions collected during the last month. *
*There was Munich bouldering worldchampionship, when I missed the final for 1 attempt, falling from top in flash try. I countinued way with some training in Innsbruck, went straight to Arco rockmaster, almost won it (finishing 2nd), climbed well on most important comp of the year - lead worldchampionship in Gijon, get silver and bronze around my neck and just a werk later did the best bouldering master ever, finishing 2nd at adidas rockstars ...

Luckly, all very positive emotions, so I have nothing to complain about! :)
Foto: Roman Krajnik


After this, a few days team trip of rock climbing in Swiss and days spent outdoor were more than welcome. I was very excited about the idea and it turned out, it was just decision on the place, something what I needed at this time! **
**and also staying by our host Urs Stoekler is always great experience ;) ...
foto: Roman Krajnik
Comming home, I felt relaxed and refreshed, ready and motivated for next steps.

Invetween I did 2 stages of national championship (lead and boulder), did some team trainings at home and aboard (I think, it is no need to mention, that training at Mitterdorf is always very welcome). Well, something is hapeening all the time and I just love it! :)

Overall, for me it was month of important comps and peaks of the season, time of travelling, training and competing. But not just that, it was also enjoyabe month and month of good and value confirmations. I felt better from comp to comp and now, all I want is, to prospone this feeling into the next 3 weeks of 'Asia world cup tour' adventure. Wish me luck! ;)