Kilpatrick returns to top

Tauranga's James Kilpatrick took the major spoils in a very competitive men's division at the national tree climbing championships held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton on Saturday and Sunday.

It was Kilpatrick's first attempt at the nationals since 2009 as he had principally been climbing in Europe since then. However, he did return home for the 2010 Asia-Pacific championships and won that title, repeating the feat this year as well. He was also third in the Master's Climb at the 2010 worlds.

The feature contest at the Masterton event was the Master's Challenge, with Kilpatrick being opposed there by Ross Kite, Jawand Ngau Chun and Drew Bristow, all heavy scorers in the preliminary rounds.

Kilpatrick took first placing with 270 points, followed by Kite 258, Ngau Chun 240 and Bristow 180.

The women's Master's Challenge was a two-way go between Nicky Ward-Allen and Elena O'Neill with Ward-Allen scoring 82 points and O'Neill 58.33 points.

It was the seventh successive year Ward-Allen had qualified for the Masters title and her second win, the first coming in 2009. She had finished second to three times world champion Chrissy Spence six times. Spence did not compete this year.

The championships attracted good-sized crowds who marvelled at the athleticism and bravery of the competitors over a range of disciplines. Results:-

MEN

Speed climb: James Kilpatrick 22.69secs, 20pts; Ross Kite 25.41, 18.64; Shaun Hardman 26.10, 18.30, Joe Harris 26.24, 18.23; Jawand Ngau Chun 29.67, 16.51; Elliot Fitzjohn 31.31, 16.69; David Stejskal 31.37, 15.66; Drew Bristow 31.43, 15.63; Clay Winter 32.22, 15.24; Guy Clark 32.43, 15.13.

Secured footlock: James Kilpatrick 13.95secs, 20pts; Ross Kite 16.60, 17.35; Drew Bristow 18.38, 15.57; Joe Harris 19.48, 14.47; Jawand Ngau Chun 19.58, 14.37; David Stejskal 20.25, 13.70; Clay Winter 22.73, 11.22; Elliot Fitzjohn 22.91, 11.04; Guy Clark 23.71, 11.04; Luke Camelleri 24.69, 9.26.

Throwline: Joe Harris 15pts, Tumai Laybourn 15, Stephen Griffiths 13, David Stejskal 11, Zane Wedding 11, Noel Galloway 8, Tiago Miranda 8, Elliot Fitzjohn 8, Leith Thompson 8, Ross Kite 8, Clay Winter 8, Domonik Ritter 8, Toby Kennally 8, Johno Smith 8, Toby Chapman 8.

Aeriel rescue: Jawand Ngau Chun 44.50pts, James Kilpatrick 40.50pts, Joe Harris 39, Zane Wedding 38, Ross Kite 36, David Stejskal 34, Drew Bristow 32, Johno Smith 32, Tony Bennett 30, Clay Winter 26.50.

Work climb: Joe Harris 58.45pts, James Kilpatrick 57, Ross Kite 53.67, Johno Smith 53.50, Jawand Ngau Chun 52.08, Shaun Hardman 51.64, Drew Bristow 51.48, Clay Winter 50.16, Guy Clark 45.87, Tumai Laybourn 45.73.

Master's Climb: James Kilpatrick 270pts, Ross Kite 258pts, Jawand Ngau Chun 240pts, Drew Bristow 180pts.

WOMEN

Speed climb: Nicky Ward-Allen 43.26secs, 20pts; Veronika Ericsson 46.70, 18.28; Nina Black 58.98, 12.14; Elena O'Neill 86.93, 0.

Secured footlock: Veronika Ericsson 16.75secs, 20pts; Nicky Ward-Allen 16.82, 19.93; Elena O'Neill 31.49, 5.26; Nina Black 165.63, 0.

Throwline: Elena O'Neill 11pts, Veronika Ericsson 7, Nicky Ward-Allen 5, Nina Black 0.

Aeriel rescue: Veronika Ericsson 31.50pts, Nicky Ward-Allen 31.50, Nina Black 8.50, Elena O'Neill 8.

Work climb: Nicky Ward Allen 68.50pts, Veronika Ericsson 61.24, Elena O'Neill 28.00, Nina Black 21.00.

Master's Climb: Nicky Ward-Allen 82pts, Elena O'Neill 58.33.