Francesca Metcalf topping out number 4 on her way to victory

The 2011 Dark Horse Championship Round went off on February 5th at MetroRock in Everett. 150 competitors crammed into the bouldering area to throw down on some serious plastic! When the chalk dust settled Lady Sasquatch took the main stage and rocked the house during the changeover period between the citizen's comp and the Young Guns Finals. 

While people's eardrums were ringing and faces melted, the top Young Guns (competitors 15 and younger) took over and gave it there all on some crazy boulder problems set by MetroRock's finest. This set the mood for what was the greatest finals showdown that we could put together. Top climbers from all over the country including Daniel Woods, Francesca Metcalf, Vasya Vorotnikov, Sasha Degulian, Rob D'Anastacio, Natasha Barnes, Brian Kim and Carlo Traversi put on a show for over 200 spectators. Dave Wetmore and his crew put up some of the sickest problems I have ever seen on a climbing wall proving that they among the best route setters in the country.

Francesca maintained her reign on top with yet another win over the strongest female showing we've had! The score was close as Francesca stepped up to the unclimbed #5 Final problem. In no time she cruised through the initial burly moves and didn't stop at the crux, a big deadpoint cross move to a fat pinch. The next couple of moves came and went just as quickly, and as Francesca pulled herself on the top of the boulder after her onsight, the crowd knew that no scores needed to be tallied...she had done it again.

For the guys, Daniel Woods, Carlo Traversi and Magnus Midtboe flew in from all over looking to take the top spot from DH veterans Vasya Vorotnikov, Rob D'Anastacio and Brian kim. The first two problems seemed to shut everyone down but Vasya. But Daniel Woods picked up his game on the final three including an inspiring onsight of final #5 that nobody else could finish. It all came to down to Vasya who came into #5 almost neck and neck with Daniel. An onsight would all but insure him the crown. With the crowd raging at an all time high, the stage was set. After a minute of chalking and psyching, Vasya stepped on and..