Climber Shauna wins Fort festival ambassador award

AS THE Fort William Mountain Festival got under way last Wednesday (February 21), festival organisers announced that Shauna Coxsey MBE, the UK’s most successful competition climber, is the recipient of the fourth Scottish Youth Ambassador Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.

The Scottish Youth Ambassador Award recognises and celebrates the achievements and accomplishments of one inspiring young person and their outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains. Specialising in the climbing discipline of bouldering, Shauna is the current two-time reigning IFSC Bouldering World Champion and came third in the combined event in 2017.

Shauna is also director of the Women’s Climbing Symposium, an event she organises to promote participation and progression of women in all disciplines of climbing.

She said it was real surprise and huge honour to receive the award: ‘I am incredibly grateful to those who have nominated me. Although most people will know me from my day job as a competition climber, much of my free time is spent climbing outside, whether that is on my doorstep in the Peak District or further afield.

‘I love the fact that climbing is so varied and attracts people from all walks of life to try the sport, either down a wall or at a local crag.’

The award is sponsored jointly by Corpach Boatbuilding Company Limited, which provides marine services from its base in Fort William, and by the Nevis Landscape Partnership and Heritage Lottery Fund.

A festival spokesperson told us: ‘Shauna has achieved great success in competition climbing to become the United Kingdom’s most successful ever competition climber.

‘She has also demonstrated her strong commitment and great desire to share and encourage participation among the wider climbing community.’

Shauna, 25, was born in Runcorn and now lives in Sheffield.