Ratho rocks:
Young climber Natalie Berry will be among 200 of the world’s top competitors descending on Edinburgh this autumn including some hoping for places in the first teams to take part in an Olympic Games.
The International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup comes to the capital in September when more than 1,200 spectators are expected at the Ratho Climbing Arena over two days.
It is the first time the event has been held in Edinburgh since 2003 and the first time that the Paraclimbing Cup has been held in Scotland.
Natalie from Glasgow, is a member of the senior GB lead climbing team, and the 25-year-old is nursing a finger injury but hopes to be fit for the event.
“I’ve been climbing since I was nine after seeing a climbing tower at a shopping centre,” she said.”I was invited to join a club and I have never looked back. I love it.
“It ‘s fun, it keeps you fit and is also a mental challenge.”
Paraclimber Keith Lynch, a member of Climb Scotland and GB Development Squad, lost his hands and lower legs to frost-bite. He will be leading one of the teams at Ratho.
“The British climbing scene is exciting at the moment and with its acceptance as an Olympic sport at Tokyo in 2020 it’s clear that it’s developing at a rapid rate.
“Having a paraclimbing element happening alongside the IFSC World Cup can only create more awareness for this lesser known element of the sport and hopefully encourage more people with disabilities to get involved.”
The events are funded by Edinburgh Leisure and supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s events directorate.
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