Climbing champ Connor is a leading contender (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Climbing champ Connor is a leading contender

6:07pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Sport By Steve Tinniswood, Sports reporter

CONNOR Byrne underlined his reputation as one of the best young climbers in the country after retaining his British Lead Climbing Championship title.

The 16-year-old from Clitheroe took the title on a tie-break – and his efforts as earned him a place in the Great Britain team for next month’s European Youth Cup in Slovenia.

The competition attracted 20 of best climbers from across the country but Byrne breezed through the qualifying rounds at Ratho Climbing Centre in Edinburgh to book one of the six final places.

The finalists climbed in isolation – meaning other climbers could not watch them – and Byrne almost topped the final route, his high point only matched by one other competitor.

This forced a tie break where the time of the final climb is considered.

And the Bowland High School pupil scaled the heights in two minutes seven seconds – nearly twice as fast as his nearest rival – to win 16 and 17-year-old age group.

Interestingly, his climb would have seen him finished in third place in the older age group.

Mum Caroline said: “Things are looking good for the future. “Due to his great climbing, he has also been selected to climb in the European Youth Cup in Slovenia in November, as well as the European Youth Championship which also take place next month.

“These are both massive events against countries that have climbing as a school sport.”

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