Anak Verhoeven Sends New 5.15a in France
The top comp climber put the final touches on the burly new limestone line last week
Anak Verhoeven has made the first ascent of Sweet neuf 5.15a at Pierrot Beach in France, becoming the first female to make a first ascent of the grade. Margo Hayes become the first female to send 5.15a earlier this year with her send of La Rambla.
Sweet neuf is the extension of Sang neuf 5.14d, which Verhoeven made the first ascent of not long before. It’s located at Pierrot Beach in Vercors. She noted on Instagram after, “After having climbed Sang neuf, I had one climbing day left.”
“Sébastien Richard suggested that I could try to link Sang neuf with the 25-metre second pitch of Home Sweet Home 5.14c and I accepted the challenge. “After a rest day I climbed Sang neuf again but this time I did not stop at the chain, but climbed on to the chain of Home Sweet Home.”
The 21-year-old Belgian started climbing at the age of four and was the Youth World Champion in 2015. She has climbed a number of 5.14+ lines. Verhoeven is ranked number two for Lead climbing at the the World Cup circuit. This spring, she took gold at the European Championships.
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