Stone Age Climbing Gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico held its 13th annual Yank-n-Yard competition on October 17th, 2009 . Five Ten® athletes took the number one spot in both the men's and women's categories. Great job athletes! Five Ten® athlete Julian Bautista took first place in the Men's Open Category and tells us a bit about his experience at Yank-n-Yard... "

This weekend I headed to Albuquerque, for the 13th Annual Yank and Yard Competition at Stone Age Climbing Gym. It was one of the best ABS comps I've attended. With three rounds of competition for the open category and two rounds of redpoint for all other adult categories and youth, it was a full day of great fun and climbing!

The event started off with two hours of redpoint competition. There were many problems to choose from and everybody was having a great time. Top 6 advanced to the semifinal on-sight round of three world class routes. It was exciting, and the crowd was cheering for all of us. Top 3 competitors advanced to the third and final onsight round. It consisted of another three world class problems. Challenging and exciting, I gave it my all.  5.10® athlete, Alex Puccio, was unstoppable flashing all onsight routes!

Many thanks to the sponsors, USAC official, Lawrence Abeyta and route setters Lance Hadfield, Timmy Fairfield (onsight routes) and team for putting on such an awesome comp! I hope to return next year." - Julian Men's Open Category 1st Place: 5.10®'s Julian Buatista, Placentia CA 2nd Place: 5.10®'s Carlo Traversi, Boulder CO 3rd Place: Joe Czerwinski, Chandler AZ Women's Open Category 1st Place: 5.10®'s Alex Puccio, Boulder CO 2nd Place: Paige Stiers, Los Lunas NM 3rd Place: Elly Czajkowski, Ft. Collins CO Learn more about the Stone Age Climbing Gym