Burnaby’s Chloé Earle came back from the International Federation of Sport Climbing world youth championships in 47th place.
The Burnaby North Secondary junior made it through the first two rounds of qualifying climbs with a 25+ ranking in the 90-climber youth B female field at the worlds in Arco, Italy on Saturday.
“I’m pretty happy with that,” said Earle. “It was my first worlds, so I didn’t know what to expect.”
But the biggest surprise for the 14-year-old was just how high the top climbers got on the routes.
“It was so difficult to where I got. (The routes) were really hard,” she added.
Earle’s idol, Ashima Shiraishi of the United States, won the youth B title, beating out runner-up Mia Krampl of Slovenia and Laura Rogora of the host country in the lead climbing final.
Earle will be competing at the 15/16 Youth A age group next season, which will also allow her to take part in the open junior category, as well.
“If I get the opportunity again, I’ll definitely take it,” she said. “I’m glad I could do this competition. It was always my goal to do that.”
Earlier this summer, Earle finished third, one hand hold behind the winner, at the Canadian national youth climbing championships in lead climbing in Saanich.
