Sunday 14 September 2014

European Tree Climbing Competition 2014

She’s gone and smashed the ISA European Tree Climbing Championships!


 

Since 2007, Jo’s wanted to get her mitts on the European Champion title, and just three weeks after becoming World Champion, she’s only gone and done it!

 

Up until now, Jo’s placed 2nd in the comp, which for this competitive climber, just ain’t good enough. Never one to rest on her laurels, she’s trained like a banshee and finally she can tick that box. Yeah!

 

The competition took place in Poland on the 30th and 31st August. Flanked by her UK comrades, Bruce Fowels and Matt Glen, she wasn’t going to settle for second best. But with last year’s female champion, Anja Erni, in the running, she knew she had to pull out all the stops.

UK&I team: Matt Glenn, Josephine Hedger, Bruce Fowles
 

Jo says, “Anja is a very good climber and competent in all of the events, so it’s not surprising she’s won the Euros three times. I’ve been after the title for a while, so I think my raw determination saw me through!”

 

And so it did. Jo came 1st in Aerial rescue, Footlock and Head-to-Head Footlock; 2nd in Throwline and Work Climb; 5th in Speed Climb; and in the knuckle-biting Masters Climb, she also cleaned up with 1st place.

 
Bruce during the Aerial Rescue event
 

“The Work Climb was definitely my favourite event – the tree was really well set out. There was a great route through the canopy, which allowed for some good movement and big swings. The Speed Climb was fun, too. It started off with rock climbing holds to get to the first branches. And because the tree was a pine, there were loads of branches to run and jump on. Now that’s my kinda climb!”

 

Jo wasn’t the only UK Climber to make the grade – Matt Glenn also claimed the men’s trophy, giving the UK both a male and female winner!  

 

Always keen to celebrate, Jo, Matt and friends had a meal and drinks on the last night, knowing that every scratch and bruise was well worth it. But it seems Polish food has its quirks, “They give you large jugs of lard with your meal...not for me I'm afraid!” We can’t think why, Jo!

 

So all in all, this summer has been an exceptional one. But true to form, Jo’s already thinking about next year, “Winning doesn’t satisfy my appetite, it just makes me more determined to do it again…!”

 

That’s our girl!
2014 European Champions: Josephine Hedger & Matt Glenn