GB Ice Climbing Team impresses in Champagny-en-Vanoise
The 2025 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup is well underway, with the latest round taking place in Champagny-en-Vanoise, France.
GB Ice Climbing team member Emma Bush provides an inside look at last weekend’s action, highlighting standout performances, breakthrough moments, and what’s next in the international calendar for the squad:
Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Alps, Champagny-en-Vanoise hosted an exciting third round of the 2025 UIAA World Cup. This year’s competition pushed athletes to their limits with additional ice and more technical routes.
The GB Ice Climbing team fielded a strong and diverse squad, blending emerging talent with experienced climbers. The men’s team featured Ken Pallister, Rory Watson, Willis Morris, Martin Cusack, Clark Noone, and Robert Drynda, while the women’s lineup included Tabitha O’Carroll, Nina Henderson, Emma Bush, and Caitlin Connor. In a significant milestone for the team, three senior athletes advanced from the qualifiers for the first time.
Having only joined the GB Ice Climbing Team this season, Robert Drynda and Martin Cusack made impressive World Cup debuts, demonstrating composure and strength on the international stage.
At just 15 years old, Tabitha O’Carroll delivered her best performance yet, securing 26th place - her highest World Cup finish. As the youngest athlete competing on the UIAA World Tour this year, she continues to hold her own in the senior category and has established herself as a future contender.
Willis Morris set one of the fastest paces of the night in his opening climb but suffered an unexpected fall mid-clip. Undeterred, he returned for his second qualifier under immense pressure, executing with precision to secure a spot in the semi-finals. There, he delivered a bold performance, navigating the early sections smoothly before narrowly missing a dyno move that would have secured a finals place. His 11th-place finish signals that a World Cup finals appearance is well within reach this season, setting his sights firmly on next week’s competition in the USA. His results this week also rank him an impressive 5th in the European Championships.
Speed Discipline Highlights
Despite the UK's limited training facilities, the GB Ice Climbing team’s speed squad delivered impressive performances out in Champagny-en-Vanoise. Ken Pallister made a strong debut, posting a personal best of 34 seconds, just missing out on a finals spot but still achieving a promising result for his first competition. Emma Bush also made a notable impact in her first Speed World Cup, qualifying for the finals with an impressive 25-second run and then improving her time to a personal best of 17.5 seconds. Caitlin Connor, the team’s most seasoned speed climber, showcased her experience with a stellar 16.7-second run, securing 11th place - just ahead of Bush, who finished in 13th.
With momentum building, the GB Ice Climbing team now turns its focus to the upcoming competition in the USA.
Results:
European Championships results can be viewed here
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