Jason Holowach and Alannah Yip Win Open at Difficulty Nationals

The Canadian Difficulty Open and Youth Nationals took place at Elevation Place in Canmore on the weekend. With over 200 competitors, it was the first Alberta Nationals in years and the biggest gathering of such strong climbers since the World Cup in 2011. The entertaining MC Pete Woods mentored Andrew Funk on the live-stream, as over 500 people tuned in from across the Country to watch Finals. In the Open Finals, Elan Jonas-McRae was the only Male to send the route. However, he finished last for accidentally stepping on a bolt near the bottom, which meant Jason Holowach took top prize and Jonas-McRae finished last in the Finals. Alannah Yip, who has been consistently making Finals at Boulder World Cups won the Open Females.

Canmore-based Sara and Becca Frangos placed first and second in Junior Females. For the Junior Males, B.C. climber Kyle Murdoch took first place ahead of Scott Eveleigh. Head route setter Simon Parton was praised by climbers and coaches for his well-set routes throughout the comp. A shout out to Brian Spear of Elevation Place, who worked tirelessly over the past week to be sure the event went smoothly. Full results can be found here, below are the top six finishers for Open Male and Female and some photos, click on Holowach’s to watch him in the Finals

Open Finals Male / Female
1, Jason Holowach / Alannah Yip
2. Alex Fritz / Sophie Buitendyk
3. (2) Kyle Murdoch / Sara Frangos
4. Scott Eveleigh / Becca Frangos
5. Marc Eveleigh / Mika Hosoi
6. David Trudeau / Alyssa Weber

What a crazy weekend! After I had a questionable qualification and semis round here in Canmore for the Canadian Difficulty Nationals, finals ended up going really well. Sadly I didn’t top…however I was still able to walk away with my first ever national open lead title. It is unfortunate that @elanjm1 who did top the final route, accidentally stepped on a bolt early on and therefore dropped in the rankings. It’s one of those moments in competitive climbing that really suck. I recommend you follow him this year as he competes throughout the entire Lead World Cup season. Good luck @elanjm1 @musclemlkcan #albertaclimbing #getagripyxe #climbpatrol #jbperformance #jbfamily ? @courtneyjoannell the best midea correspondent you could ask for, love you babe!

A video posted by Grip It Climbing (@jason_holowach_grip_it) on May 29, 2016 at 11:05pm PDT

Canadian Lead Nationals for Youth and Open are taking place today and tomorrow in Canmore. Good luck to all the competitors trying to make Team Canada? Photo: @thecircuitclimbing

A photo posted by @climbcanada on May 28, 2016 at 4:38am PDT

So psyched to be heading into finals tonight among a stacked category of strong ladies! Determined to give it my all tonight in finals! Watch the live stream here (climbing starts at 5:10 MST) : www.sportscanada.tv/climbing @fiveten_official #fiveten #brandofthebrave

A photo posted by Sara Frangos (@sara_frangos) on May 29, 2016 at 12:36pm PDT

Got back on a rope for the Canadian Difficulty Championships this weekend…despite currently focusing on bouldering, years of lead experience as a youth competitor didn’t fail me and I managed to fight my way to a win! Pretty psyched to be dual (Bouldering and Lead) Canadian National Champion this year ? Thanks to Elevation Place and the setters for a great comp, and congrats to @jason_holowach_grip_it for taking the men’s title.

A photo posted by Alannah Yip (@alannah_yip) on May 29, 2016 at 11:44pm PDT