The 2008 Bouldering World Cup series is coming to America in the form of the Vail Teva Mountain Games.

As if the Teva Mountain Games couldn’t get any bigger, they will now be hosting, in cooperation with USA Climbing the first World Cup Climbing event on United States’ soil in close to twenty years and the first bouldering event ever on June 4-8, 2008 in Vail, Colorado.

What’s the big deal you say? A World Cup is just another comp with the same sick strong climbers you say?

Not this one. The World Cup represents the highest level of competitive climbing in the world and having one in the US is a major step in getting climbing into the Olympics (possibly in London, 2012).

Sure America has had World Cups before but they didn’t catch on with the climbing or the spectator community. This was mostly due to a lack of vision and timing.

But now with the rise in popularity of large, high-profile comps and better organization from USAC and the IFSC the Vail World Cup could become an annual event. (It would be great if in the future the US could get more than one WC on the N. American continent. But it all starts with one.)

What does this all mean for route setters?

Bringing a World Cup on to US soil will give setters even more opportunities to set at the highest international levels. Instead of always going over to Europe to get international experience, setters will now have the opportunity to test their skills against the strongest climbers in the world right here at home.

Events of this type will make it possible for more setters to make a viable career out of turning wrenches. In short: more comps equal more money, more job security and a more respectable career choice.

Read the official Teva Mountain Games World Cup press release.

Wanna Compete?

Do you want to compete against the strongest climbers in the world? Do you want to walk away with part of the $15,000 prize purse? Do you want to be crowned a World Cup champion?

First, start training and get the strongest you’ve ever been and then you should probably try to get even stronger.

Second, you need to qualify for the the Vail World Cup by competing in the ABS Nationals in February. This is where Team USA will chose the top six men and women to represent USA.
Routesetter.com will be at the Vail World Cup with complete behind the scenes coverage. In the coming months look for a run-down on who will be setting for the event.

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