Chamonix 2009

The ÖWK lead climbers celebrate a successful opening of the World Cup season.

After the recent achievements in China, Austria’s climbing prodigies continue to impress in Chamonix (July 12-13): Johanna Ernst with a win, Angela Eiter closed in on the top with a 5th place, and David Lama won bronze.

Chamonix (France) – The athletes of the Austrian Climbing Association (ÖWK) only had four days’ rest after the ordeals of the World Championships. Last Saturday they traveled to Chamonix for the season start of the World Cup. But in spite of stress and jetlag, it was well worth the effort:

The new World Champion Johanna Ernst proved that she is in a league of her own. The 16-year-old prodigy paraded through three of the difficult routes, being the only athlete reaching the top grip. She was even with three other competitors during the final, but her exceptional results during the qualifying rounds propelled her to the top of the podium of the World Cup season opening event.

Angela Eiter’s comeback was crowned by a marvelous final-day performance in Chamonix. Even with the lack of training, the Tyrolean proved that she’s mere centimeters away from the absolute world elite. After the sensational second place in the semifinal round, the two-time world champion placed fifth in the overall standings. Another two ÖWK climbers placed among the TOP 20: Bettina Schöpf, 15^th; Barbara Bacher, 17^th.

Again David Lama brought excitement to the men’s final round. With a 7^th place in the qualifying round, the 18-year-old barely made it to the final eight. But Lama knows how to bring it under pressure, and passed his competitors one-by-one until he reached the podium and a bronze medal. Jacob Schubert reached the semifinal, and could collect his first 2009 World Cup points in Chamonix with his 11^th place in the overall results.

Results Lead World Cup in Chamonix (France), July 12-13:
Women:
1. Johanna Ernst (AUT/ ÖAV Innsbruck)
2. Natalja Gros (SLO)
3. Yana Chereshneva (RUS)
4. Caroline Ciavaldini (FRA)
5. Angela Eiter (AUT/ ÖAV Imst-Oberland)
6. Yuka Kobayashi (JPN)
7. Florence Pinet (FRA)
8. Muriel Sarkany (BEL)
More:
15. Bettina Schöpf (ÖAV Imst-Oberland)
17. Barbara Bacher (ÖAV Innerötztal)
22. Christine Schranz (ÖAV Imst-Oberland)
35. Sabine Bacher (ÖAV Innerötztal)

Men:
1. Patxi Usobiaga Lakunza (ESP)
2. Sachi Amma (JPN)
3. David Lama (AUT/ Innsbruck)
4. Romain Desgranges (FRA)
5. Adam Ondra (CZE)
6. Ramon Julian Puigblanque (ESP)
7. Manuel Romain (FRA)
8. Thomas Tauporn (GER)
More:
11. Jakob Schubert (ÖAV Innsbruck)
35. Mario Lechner (ÖAV Innsbruck)
69. Jürgen Reis (ÖAV Dornbirn)