Ties Vancraenest (19) sends The Big Island

Ties Vancraenest, who won a Euro Youth Cup in 2021, has done The Big Island (8C) in Fontainebleau. (c) Hannes Van Duysen

Can you tell us more about sending The Big Island?
I had two sessions on the Big Island on my trip last year, in April, in 25 degrees. I barely did any moves but really liked the boulder and I was looking forward to try it again. Sadly I couldn't come back before now because I had two major injuries and after that I had to focus on getting back in shape.

Finally, last week after my exams I found a moment to come back. I was really surprised to do all the moves already on my first session. The session after that I made some big links and started believing it was possible this trip.

The next day I came back I fell on the cut loose for a whole day until someone gave me a new beta that let me pass the crux but (I) fell on the last move with the final jug in my hand. I came back the next morning to send it first try of the day.

What's your climbing background?
From my eight years as a climber, I have always been a competition climber. I have also always been more of an endurance climber than a powerful climber, preferring lead over boulder. Outside on the other hand, I prefer bouldering over lead. But I’m not climbing outside very often, maybe once or twice a year because it is hard to find the time between all the trainings and competitions.