A new venue and fresh challenges faced Royal Navy and Royal Marines climbers for this year’s indoor climbing championships.

Speed climbing – a kind of climbing sprint, reaching the top of the wall by any holds possible in the shortest time – was introduced to the RNRM Mountaineering Club indoor championships to add extra spice.

And there were a number of spectacular falls which all helped with the spectacle – and a trophy for OM Curtis Dawson of HMS Neptune, who hit one of the organisers on the way down.

The championships were postponed for four months to allow competitors to get in some leave following operations in the Middle East.

The Ridge Climbing Wall at the Link Centre in Swindon hosted this year’s contest, aided by experts from realscared.com

Climbers had to lead two routes in their categories to count, with the overall winner, Mne Vince from 45 Cdo, taking the title from results in the lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing events.

Results:
Up to and including VS: 1, Mne Mackenzie (FPG RM); 2, Mne Cleghorn (45 Cdo); 3, Mne Leek (FPG RM)
HVS to E1: 1, PO Trickett (HMS Southampton); 2, Musn Hobson (RM Band Plymouth); 3, Musn Jones (RM Band Portsmouth)
E2 and above: 1, OM Webb (HMS Neptune); 2, Cpl Kavanagh (CTCRM); 3, Mne Vince (45 Cdo)
Bouldering: 1, S/Lt Batho (BRNC); 2, Cpl Kayll (42 Cdo); 3, Mne Vince (45 Cdo);
Speed climb: 1, Cpl Stratford (RM Poole) – 9.5 secs; 2, L/Cpl Peacock (40 Cdo) – 9.7 secs; 3, Mne Vince (45 Cdo) – 10.8 secs
Best veteran: Lt Cdr Reynolds (2SL HQ)
Best female: Musn Jones (RM Band Portsmouth)
Best fall: OM Curtis Dawson, HMS Neptune
Best climber overall: Mne Vince