What a blast. Came dead last and loved it. I didn't go into his trying to get lots of points, I just wanted to have fun. Just climbing with people was fun! My hand injury still hurts, but a lot better today. I wasn'tsure I could even climb, and it was hard, but I made it.
Made some rookie mistakes and got a big flat zero points on the speed climb and footlock. I do need to read the rules through and understand the scoring. I wasn't able to attend the pre-competition workshop on Saturday so I missed out learning how the events are scored, etc.
On the speed climb I touched, but not used, the belay line and on 2nd touch you're out. Bummer. This was how our 3rd event after the throwline and work climb so I was happy my hand held up though it was started to swell more after this.
I have no idea what I did wrong on the foot lock, but zero points again. Maybe I forgot to ask for the belay. I kept my hands below the prussic and rang the bell fine. I was really nervous about the footlock. Never went higher than about 5m before and needed the training I hadn't had. Missed only one lock, the second, but got all he rest. Got a video of it and I'm getting about 1/3 the height per lock I should have so there's some easy gain to be had win technique. Made it in 1:27. Was happy with that for my first ever 15m footlock. I was the last one in my group and felt a massive rush to have made it. Bummer about zero points. I should have asked where I wentwrong, but I didn't know something went wrong to ask. Note to self, just ask for feedback from the officials after every event.
Throwline was ok, got a line on a 7pointer on the third through, but took a while to issolate. Got line in. Turns out I was stuck on a knoll on the far side that I couldn't see, but I noticed that, and tried to flick over it, but time was called. Didn't get second throw, but I'll read the rules as per
@GregManning 's post above. Could have scored better.
I really enjoyed the work climb. I was just too slow, but was happy. My hitch was tight and I wasn't as smooth as I could be. I timed out, but can do much better next time. For fun, got the last hand bell and hit two feet on the bulls eye. Will have to practice for speed. I was adjusting my lanyard, when others just clipped and tapped - much faster, though they did adjust so there wasn't too much lanyard slack. I need to watch the ITCC videos closely. The tree was a big wide London plane with halve or more leaves fallen. Just a beaut or a tree. I'll go back to rec climb this again.
Rescue was ok, but my hand is getting to sore to type more. Timed out. Had a funny mistake on my base tie which ate too much time. Really need to practice moving faster in the tree for comps.
So a really great day. Awesome officials who were really helpful and so nice and welcoming. Current World and former World Champs present and happy to chat and help out, National Champ helping out the newbies and so much more. Competitors were just as great, everyone giving their all and happy to talk tactics, cheer on, and have a good handshake after an event. I really enjoyed my group with one guy placing fourth and just missing a trip to nationals. Hopefully he'll get a wildcard place. Also met some people who I might on some rec climbs.
I'll be sore tomorrow and tonight I'm tired, but what a great first TCC.
