Arco Rock Legends Nominations for 2014
- Wednesday 30th July 2014
On the August 29th 2014 Arco Rock Legends celebrates its ninth edition, during the Rock Master Festival, by awarding two prestigious sport climbing Oscars; the Salewa Rock Award and the La Sportiva Competition Award where the winners will join the Arco Rock Legends Hall of Fame.
Those nominated for the Salewa Rock Award are Alexander Megos, four-times winner of this award Adam Ondra and Muriel Sarkany, while Sachi Amma, Urko Carmona Barandiaran and Dimitri Sharafudtinov have been nominated for the La Sportiva Competition Award. The Climbing Ambassador by Aquafil award will be assigned to the Italian writer, sculptor, alpinist and rock-climber, Mauro Corona.
Salewa Rock Award 2014 Nominees
Alexander Megos – Germany – After last year's F9a on-sight, Megos certainly stay didn't glued to the sofa. On the contrary, the stopwatch has become the new yardstick to measure his achievements, with F9a+ repeats in less than two hours. More impressive though, he has begun to make first ascents at breakneck speed.
Adam Ondra – Czech Republic – Ondra is out to get everything. This year he freed three F9bs and one F9b+ (the third F9b+ in the world, all his) and, as the only person in the world, he has on-sighted two F9as. To date he has climbed almost 100 F9as or harder, an astounding record. Unsurprisingly he has already won the Arco Rock Legends Awards four times.
Muriel Sarkany – Belgium – Just one route, but what a line. After injuring her wrist and a long lay-off, the strong Belgian, known for her thousand victorious competition battles – travelled to the Gorges du Loup to climb Punt-X, a F9a. Another historic feat, for her personal curriculum but also for female climbing.
La Sportiva Competition Award 2014 Nominees
Sachi Amma – Japan – For the second year running the Japanese has proven that he's the man to beat in lead competitions. But he's also a force to be reckoned with in bouldering, too, as can be seen from his 3rd place in the combined ranking.
Urko Carmona Barandiaran – Spain – The Spaniard is the man to measure against, and he confirmed this not only this season, for this paraclimber the word 'obstacle' simply doesn't exist, as can be seen from his numerous competition victories such as last summer's European Championship, to which one also needs to add last season's World Championship. Determination and a smile are his hallmarks, in competitions and elsewhere.
Dmitri Sharafutdinov – Russia – After years of trying the ace Russian, three times Bouldering World Champion, finally won his first Bouldering World Cup. Another dream come true.
The Arco Rock Legends Hall of Fame to date:
Salewa Rock Award
Josune Bereziartu (2006), Patxi Usobiaga (2007), Adam Ondra (2008), Chris Sharma (2009), Adam Ondra (2010), Adam Ondra (2011), Sasha DiGiulian (2012), Adam Ondra (2013)
La Sportiva Competition Award
Angela Eiter (2006), David Lama (2007), Maja Vidmar (2008), Kilian Fischhuber (2009), Akiyo Noguchi (2010), Ramon Julien Puigblanque (2011), Anna Stöhr (2012), Mina Markovic (2013)
Alexander Megos © Patrick Matros
