Vikki Weldon

I’m really really excited to announce that I’ve been accepted as an athlete for Team Five Ten. Five Ten has been making shoes since before I was  that big annoying bump hanging off my mama’s belly. I can remember back when I was a wee lass and had just graduated from the Boreal Ninjas, I was quickly drawn into the world of Five Ten. I would continually climb through pair after pair of the ol’ Dragon’s, refusing to take them off my feet even when my big toe was scrapping against the walls. I just received a box of shoes, which I opened with the gusto of a 5-year old at Christmas time. I’m back wearing Five Ten’s! I’m ecstatic to be an ambassador for such a fantastic and respected company.

In joining the Five Ten team, I have had to resign as a member of Team Mad Rock. Mad Rock invited me to the team in 2003. I can still remember my teenage voice yelling in excitement in my head as I stammered out a trembly ‘thank you..’ to Timy Fairfield as he offered me a spot on the team. In the past 7 years, Mad Rock has supported me endlessly, and I cannot thank them enough. I feel they are a wonderful and innovative company who truly cares for their products and their athletes. I wish them all the best in the future!

Hey team.

Just sneaking around the interweb and saw a few posts about the final results. Couldn’t find the full results (not sneaky enough) but here are the top 3 in each category:

Women’s

1. Clarrie Lam

2. Elise Sethna

3. Melissa Lacasse

Men’s

1. Sean McColl

2. Yves Gravelle

3. Terry Paholek

These are the provisional results apparently, so don’t get all cranky if there is a mistake.

Stacey ended up finishing 4th. A strong finish for a girl making a comeback in the world of competition rock climbing. She admitted she was a tad bit upset, but when I chatted with her she was all happy and ready to enjoy friends and bubbly drinks at the afterparty. There seems to be a theme with the comeback girls lately. Angie Payne made quite the show last weekend at the ‘Battle in the Bubble’ in Boulder, CO, just barely conceding to Alex Puccio on the final problem. She’s apparently been out for the game for quite a while due to an intense injury. It’s all very inspiring to watch these girls perservere and come back strong.

On another note, I also heard that the prize money for this competition was given for up the 6 places in the Men’s category and only up to 3 places in the Women’s. Don’t quote me on these exact numbers by the way. In any case, it is an interesting situation. There were 44 men registered in the competition while only 15 girls entered. That is a whopping big difference. And in that respect, then perhaps it is fair to give more money for guys? BUT..think about it. Girlies don’t have a choice to be girlies. They just are. They cannot control how many of their sex enters into a competition. They try just a hard as the guys to earn their ranking at the end. So how come they should get penalized for this? Also, prize money is normally given out equally to both men and women through out the TDB circuit. Prize money is not controlled by the TDB, but rather the gyms that hold the comps. And there normally is alot more men than women at any given competition. So it seems to be out of the ordinary, and may be why it is causing a bit of an upset.

Just something to think about. I’m sure there will be lot’s of debate on the subject. There are always two sides to the story. In my opinion, I would say that it is unfair to give less money to the girls. But I am a girlie. So I’m a tad bit biased. Anyways, your thoughts ladies and gents?

The first day of the 2010 Canadian National Championships are finished folks! Here are the results. Keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s finals results!

Just a note…check out who is dominating the women’s field. Big sister’s making a comeback!!

Just stumbled upon this little blast from the past. My big brother, Chris, climbs ‘Be On Four’, a beautiful highball with a treacherous landing in the forest of Squamish. Chris was the one who started this whole ‘Weldon family of climbing’ thing we have going on now. My mother proudly boasts that she felt him swinging on her rib cage when he was in the womb. Having become more up to date on my anatomy, I now know this is not true. But truly, he is a pure rock climber, heart and soul.

I always find my siblings inspiring. My sister, Stacey, is going to compete at her first Boulder Nationals next weekend since who knows when. She’s been plagued by numerous injuries (those damn Weldon genes can be ruthless), but she never gives up and now it seems she’s been making a big comeback. Just check out the east coast Tour de Bloc results. She’s definitely been leading the pack in the majority of the competitions she’s been competing in.  Can’t wait to see how Nationals goes for her! And of course, Mike, the little (or I suppose, fairly large and hairy) power house pulls up the rear as the youngster of the family. I’m continuously overjoyed to go climbing with my little bro. I’ve never met a more positive force in my life. He’s back in Calgary for the summer, so he should be psyched on a solid season of pulling down in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.

Weldon Sibs (minus Chris) clowning around in Maple Canyon (circa 2000ish)

I love my bro’s and sis.

(Chris is still smelly though)

Just a quick heads up that Blurr has their new 2010 spring line up and running. Looks like a great bunch of comfy and fantastic clothes once again!

Based out of Squamish, Blurr is an enthusiastic that has truly made its mark on the climbing world. And now having hooked up with La Sportiva, the Canadian brand is making it way across the waters to Europe. Pretty sweet!

Here’s a little blast from the past of some unique  advertisements that Blurr had out in the climbing mags and a link to an interesting article about them!

Which one is your favourite boys and girls??