The new year got off to a fast start with Speed in Oceania as Climbing New Zealand hosted the World Climbing Oceania Championships in Mount Maunganui on 14 February.
The event was a trans-Tasman rivalry showcase with strong representation from both Australia and New Zealand, nail biting races and great camaraderie on display.
New Zealand's Helen Lee set an unofficial* new Oceania women's speed record to take the champion’s crown from Olympian Sarah Tetzlaff and Julian David showed just why he is the Junior World Champion keeping a cool head in difficult meteorological conditions to beat Australian Fin Luc Sandeck in the men’s final.
MEDAL RACE RESULTS
Women
Gold Medal Race
Helen LEE (NZL) – 8.09
Sarah TETZLAFF (NZL) – 12.60
Bronze Medal Race
Abby GEBERT (NZL) – 9.00
Jorja RANGI (NZL) – 10.67
Men
Gold Medal Race
Julian DAVID (NZL) – 5.61
Fin Luc SANDECK (AUS) – 6.08
Bronze Medal Race
Hayden BARTON (AUS) – 5.94
Flynn CHISHOLM (NZL) – 6.87
FULL RESULTS
*the wall was not homologated for official records
