Erin McNeice wins European Championships Lead gold in Laval
Erin McNeice made history by becoming European Lead Champion after topping the women’s final route with just one second to spare in Laval, France.
McNeice produced a composed performance under pressure to take gold at the World Climbing European Championships, finishing at the top of the final route and securing victory.
The result marks the first European Championships gold medal won by a British female athlete in climbing.
Speaking after the finals, Erin said:
"My main goal was that I definitely wanted to win coming in to it but I was also just wanting to feel like myself again on the lead wall. Starting the season I was never planning to do this competition. I've spent the entire season coming 4th consecutively at Lead World Cups and I wanted to sort of like prove to myself that I can still do it."
In the women’s Lead competition, Iggy Rinaldi was competing in her first senior women’s Lead European Championships. She progressed through the qualification rounds and into the semi-final, finishing in 24th.
Zoë Peetermans added yet another strong semi-finals performance to her collection this season bringing it home in 14th after securing 33+
In the men’s Lead competition, Rhys Conlon progressed to the semi-final, where he climbed to 19+ to finish in 19th.
In the Speed Championships, Andrew Goodall progressed to the finals and recorded a time of 5.32 seconds, finishing 15th overall.
Reflecting on the competition, Andrew said:
“I would definitely say making finals [was a highlight]. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it today. I was kind of hoping for a 4.9 today, to be honest, but maybe next year or next comp. I have a lot to learn from that comp.”
World Climbing European Championships Laval – GB results
LEAD
Erin McNeice – 1st (gold)
Zoë Peetermans – 14th
Iggy Rinaldi – 24th
Thea Cameron – 41st
Rhys Conlon – 19th
Finley Kerswell – 32nd
Fred Willams – 39th
Sam Butterworth – 44th
SPEED
Andrew Goodall – 15th
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