IMC Champions Cup – sponsored again this year by Action Outdoors

If you’ve ever put on a climbing harness and rock shoes, this much anticipated event in the annual IMC calendar is for you.

The format will be similar to previous years. There will be 20 “new” routes to climb on the Copleston Wall. Mostly these will use existing holds in new combinations such as “red for hands, purple for feet” or “any holds left of the bolt-line”. Plus there will be some surprise novelty routes. There will be ten top-roped and ten lead routes, spanning all the grades from the easiest up to the hardest that current IMC members climb (ie not really that hard!). Competitors score 1000 points for each route they climb, divided by the number of people who succeed on that route.

As usual, there will be three categories to give as many people as possible a chance to win a prize.

·                       Beginner (started climbing during 2017/18, or re-started after a long lay-off).

·                       Intermediate (“OK, I know I’m not really a beginner anymore”).

·                       “Expert” (able to lead at 6a or above).

The beginner category will be restricted to the top-roped routes only. Intermediates and experts have a choice of all 20 routes – top-rope and lead. . You can take part with a regular climbing partner, or just partner up on the night.

There will be prizes of Action Outdoors vouchers for the winners of each category, and smaller prizes for the runners up. And prizes for everyone, of climbing gear and consumable goodies, in the grand raffle to be drawn at the end. The winner of the Expert category takes possession of the coveted IMC Champions Cup Trophy for the year.

No entry fee (apart from the normal centre admission fee), but hopefully everyone will contribute by buying one or more raffle tickets on the night, and possibly donating a small prize to the raffle As those who have taken part before will know, it’s all very light-hearted and great fun. It’s not the winning that counts, it’s the taking part. (honest………..).

For new visitors to Copleston – you’re very welcome. This is an excellent opportunity to make your first visit. Directions to the centre are here. Entrance off Foxhall Road.

Hope to see lots of club members on 14 March. 7.30pm start, but please arrive a little earlier so we can register you and you can be climbing by 7.30. Spectators also very welcome.

Martin