C limbing
Curling
In March, five pupils representing Sevenoaks
participated in the annual Independent Schools
Climbing Competition, coming 15th out of the 31
schools represented. This was certainly an impressive
result, given that it was the first climbing competition
we had entered.
The competition was comprised of a series of
bouldering problems – judging the individual’s skill
without a rope, as well as top-rope and lead climbing
problems. These latter challenges led to collaboration
between various members in order to identify the
best routes to match the member’s skillset as well
as theorising the most effective way to ‘top’ the
wall. Due in great part to the facilities afforded to
us at Sevenoaks, we were highly competitive in the
top-roping section of the competition, resulting in
the topping of many of the especially difficult routes
within this section and in phenomenal performances
from all members of the team.
Training-wise, we focused mostly on top-roping
and have set routes on the Sevenoaks climbing
wall to prepare us for the type we will encounter in
competition: a mixture of fast-paced and dynamic
routes as well as slow, deliberate static routes. This
is a process we are able to refine now that we have
experienced the demands of the competition.
It was a fantastic experience and we look forward to
competing again next year!
Bennett Jones, Lower Sixth
The 1st team won bronze in the English Schools’
Championships whilst the 2nd team also had a great
season, beating the 1st team in the opening game of
the Open Championships. Oscar Petter won a silver
medal in the Open Junior Championships.
Some players were also awarded their English Curling
Association Skills awards, including Helena Kiggell
(bronze award), Charlotte Honer, Phoebe Critchlow,
Roshan Binning (orange award) and Oskar Oomen
(yellow award). The 1st team included Oscar Petter
(Skip), Ben Williams (Vice-Skip), Helena Kiggell,
Serena Murdoch and Charlotte Honer. The 2nd
team members were Charlotte Honer (Skip), Phoebe
Critchlow (Vice-Skip), Roshan Binning, Pieter Mitchell,
Jamie Kutchera and Oskar Oomen, with both teams
coached by Mrs Kiggell.
The 1st team player of the season was Oscar Petter
and most improved was Helena Kiggell. The 2nd team
player of the season was Charlotte Honer and most
improved was Phoebe Critchlow.
Julia Kiggell
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SPORT REVIEW