During the past two months, the Austrian Karo Sinnhuber spent whole 20 days in Switzerland and row after row in the 8. French degree committed. Until she injured herself. We have with Karo about their decision to say goodbye to the competition circus and talked about their wave of success on the rock.
You have said goodbye to the competition circus and have been concentrating on bouldering on the rock since then. Why?
Actually, I planned to start this season and decide if I would like 2020 to participate in the competition. To be honest, I've often toyed with 2018 with the idea of climbing the competition and focusing on the outdoors.
"It was kind of time for something new."
Several factors probably contributed to my decision, including the new "parcours / circus competition style" of bouldering, which is not my thing and for me personally simply has nothing to do with the sport of bouldering. I've been taking part in competitions since I was four years old (almost 20 years of competition now). It was kind of time for something new.
Due to the many national and international competitions and the training camps, I was not at home on many days or weekends and had no time for outdoor stuff, and of course I couldn't just say goodbye to Switzerland or anywhere else for a week during the preparation phase. So I was pretty much tied to the hall and was only able to rip off outdoors during the competition break in the summer - at some point this period was too short for me.
You recently went to Ticino three times. What do you like about the areas in the south of Switzerland?
Since the end of December I have been in Ticino for 20 days. In my opinion, here are among other things the most beautiful boulders in Europe. The rock is unique and the weather is mostly pretty good over the winter months. Sunshine, low temperatures and no snow - what more could a climber want? In addition, the amount of bouldering in the area 8a to 8b is almost infinite.
You have been rowing 8a Boulder. With Walk the Line you have now also succeeded in a 8a + Boulder. Your flight has now come to an abrupt end. What happened?
After my walk-through from Walk the Line (WTL) I'm still a "teamwork". Thanks to WTL I already had a big cut on my right index finger, then I tapped it off and checked out the teamwork despite the pain. In the go-around-GO then the right index finger has given way. At first I hoped that the tape was torn or the cut got bigger. Unfortunately, no. Just to be on the safe side, I declared the day of climbing over because I could not attack a single grip (neither sloper nor groin) without pain.
Two days later I was on the MRI and it turned out that I had pulled the front capsule. Bad news: takes forever - up to 6 weeks or more until pain is no longer felt. Good news: I was training again today! I can even use some of the handles normally, others only with my back 3 fingers. I just hope it won't be 6 weeks before I can crimp and snap on handles again.
Do you need to take a break?
Pause ... well. According to the doctor, I should "spare" myself. But who knows me, knows that I do not like to protect myself. Anything that causes no pain is ok in my opinion.
Video: Karo Sinnhuber on the Walk the Line
Which Boulder do you still have in your head?
Delusion of Grandeur! I've been thinking about it for soooo long, but somehow I never come to check it out again. Will be finally ready in the fall. The temperatures have risen enormously the last days. With 20 degrees, the motivation to climb hard is not so great, it also lubricates the skin and the small bars drill so unpleasantly in the fingertips.
"Delusion of Grandeur! I've had the boulder in my head for soooo long. "
Other boulders still on the to-do list: Miss Switzerland (8a), Teamwork (8a), Freak Brothers (8a +), The Great Shark Hunt (8b), Shadowfax (8b), Franks Wild Years (8a +). Too busy, too little time and probably a bit too weak. But you can change that.
About Karo Sinnhuber
Karoline Sinnhuber is at 22. May 1995 born and climbs since she is four years old. Since her parents are climbers themselves, she was early on the rock. Karo currently lives in Innsbruck, where she also studies. After twenty years of racing, she recently decided to stop participating in international competitions and instead concentrate on bouldering on the rock.
Heavy ascents on the rock
8b Charity Bouldering - Silvretta (AUT)
8b Skiroute Project - Silvretta (AUT)
8b Fragile Steps - Rocklands (RSA)
8a + Nutsa - Rocklands (RSA)
8a + Tea with Elmarie - Rocklands (RSA)
8a + Drischiebl - Zillertal (AUT)
8a + Machine Gun - Susten Pass (SUI)
8a + Freerunner - Silvretta (AUT)
8a + High Voltage - Felbertal (AUT)
8a Flash undergrowth - Zillertal (AUT)
8a Flash Pretty Belinda - Silvretta (AUT)
Results at competitions
15. Place at the World Cup in Vail (CAN) 2015
11. Place at the World Cup in Munich (GER) 2015
5. Place at the World Cup in Chongqing (CHN) 2016
13. Place at the World Cup in Navi Mumbai (IND) 2016
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Credits: pictures zVg, title picture Claudia ziegler