CAITLIN ON THE CLIMB
Cambuslang girl will compete in the British Open
A young Cambuslang climber is hoping to reach new heights as she travels south for the British Open this weekend.
Caitlin Connor, 12, has exceeded all expectations after winning several events last year and hopes to add to her collection of wins with a podium finish in Liverpool and qualification for the Team GB squad.
The first year pupil at Stonelaw High, is the current Scottish champion of the youth climbing team and is on target to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
But her current aim is to perform at her best at the British Open this weekend that will see her take on the best climbers in her age group.
She will compete in the lead climbing competition, which is a technique involving a lead climber ascending a route while periodically attaching protection to the face of the route.
Caitlin will also take part in the bouldering aspect which is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses.
Her proud dad, Mick, said Caitlin is fully focussed on the competition and is confident of placing high.
“It will be a tough competition. You don’t compete in events like this unless you are at the top of your game,” he added.
“Caitlin’s category ( girls youth C) is one of the biggest and she will be against 20 girls from around the UK who are the best in their areas.
“She won in Dundee last weekend so she is confident going into the competition and it gave her confidence a boost.”
Cailtin claimed a top finish at the Scottish YCS Climbing series on Saturday which enabled her to book a place in the second round and added to her list of impressive achievements in the last 12 months.
She won three rounds and a final at the YCS 2015 competition and came fifth in the bouldering category at the 2015 British Championship.
Caitlin’s long term aim is to compete in the Olympics in 2020 but she has competed in a variety of sports.
She recently received her black belt in karate, and is a keen boxer at O’Neils ABC in Cambuslang and a cyclist with Glenmarnock Hawks.
She has competed for Stonelaw High in cross country events and will take part in the Scottish School Climbing Championships this month at the Glasgow Climbing Centre.
Caitlin and her brother Scott, 10, are also the youngest qualified ice climbers in Scotland.
Mick added: “Caitlin is very athletic and loves to compete but her main focus is on her climbing. We are aiming to raise some funds for her to go to her first international competition this year in Austria.”