Melloblocco 2011 – a new bouldering and Val Masino record

Never before had there been so many. So many to exceed all expectations. Already on day two they had broken all previous records - not only for the biggest bouldering and climbing meeting in the world - but also for Val Masino and Val di Mello itself. The Melloblockers never stopped trundling in. They continued to reach the valley relentlessly, yesterday evening just like on this sun-blessed Sunday morning. And so today, beneath the clear valley of wonders skies, 2600 registered Melloblockers climbed up thousands of boulders. While at least 10,000 people joined them in the valley. Predominantly young and extremely young climbers but,as tradition has it, there were also plenty of children and their families, too.

It really was a special Melloblocco. Impressive to say the least, not only due to the record numbers. It was impressive also because, despite the mass of people, there was never any overcrowding. The shuttle buses laid on by the organisers continued to drive from one area to the other and the Melloblockers continued to use them, leaving their cars in the car park. This respect for nature is the hallmark of the event, the underlying spirit of the Melloblocco. It comes as no surprise therefore that 2011 was dedicated to the International Year of the Forests.

It has to be said that Val Masino really is something quite particular. A beautiful valley of wonders. Everyone found their corner of climbing happiness somewhere amongst the boulders and the meadows in Val di Mello, on the problems littered in the enchanting Bagni di Masino beach forest (a magical display of light), between the Remenno rocks and the thousands of boulder problems in the Masino area. There were numerous climbing champions, many highly talented climbers and also plenty of beginners. And also lots of children taking part in the Mello Baby event and climbing with the disabled, in collaboration with the Sondrio-based ANFFAS and CONI. All were united by the same love for bouldering, for climbing and nature which, in these valleys and mountains, is truly fantastic. It was impossible not to be taken in by so much beauty. Just like it it was impossible - for those who love climbing - not to take part and be a protagonist of the Melloblocco and its happy festive atmosphere.

The classic Melloblocco party on Saturday evening was a case in point. The celebration was held last night at the Mountain Centre, the logistical heart of the event. Thousands gathered here for the party. Some let themselves be transported by the rhythm of the African drums whose beat could be heard all day long. Others danced freely to the Circo Abusivo music, while others continued to climb on the incredible interactive boulders made of light and sound like in some sort of video game, only that here it was all completely real. And there were some who attempted the impossible dynos into the dark of night. Yes, yesterday evening the entire valley celebrated the happiness felt for Melloblocco and climbing in general.

This morning it all began anew. Naturally by climbing up the valley boulders. The Melloblockers lugged their crash-pads (the mattress designed to soften their falls) and began the game once again. The special competition proved a show within the greater spectacle, up the extremely difficult boulder problems. Many of the best climbers in the world tested themselves on the eight problems set for the men and women. These included "the king" of climbing Chris Sharma from the USA and the Czech "wizard" Adam Ondra, as well as calibre athletes such as the Italians Gabriele Moroni, Mauro Calibani, Michele Caminati, Roberta Longo. And Nina Caprez from Switzerland, Muriel Sarkany from Belgium, James Pearson from Britain, Barbara Zangerl from Austria and Spaniards Patxi Usobiaga and Daila Ojeda.

In the end, 5 men each sent 5 problems: unstoppable Adam Ondra, ace Italian Gabriele Moroni, the legendary Italian boulderer Mauro Calibani, Italian Michele Caminati on superb form and the extremely strong 20-year-old Anthony Gullsten. British star James Peason sent four problems, as did Melloblocco faithful Riccardo Caprasecca. First place in the women's event was shared by Russian Alexandra Balakireva and Austrian barbara Zangerl, both on great form with 6 tops. Roberta Longo from Italy proved her worth too and finished third with 4 tops. The prize money was split equally amongst men and women. Unfortunately this "equality" isn't always the norm and this is yet another distinguishing feature of the special Melloblocco spirit. The same spirit which will return again next year, naturally in Val Masino, the magnificent bouldering and Melloblocco valley.

BOULDER PROBLEMS WOMEN
Number of problems sent
6 Boulders: Barbara Zangerl AUT (3 FLASH), Alexandra Balakireva RUS (1 FLASH)
4 Boulders: Roberta Longo ITA (1 FLASH)
2 Boulders: Anna Gallyamova RUS
1 Boulder: Anna Sorotokina RUS, Giovanna Pozzoli ITA, Natalia Vasylenko UKR, Paola Radice ITA, Raffaella Cottalorda ITA, Sara Morandi ITA
A) The White Bird: Roberta Longo, Barbara Zangerl, Alexandra Balakireva
B) Mellolista: Barbara Zangerl FLASH, Alexandra Balakireva
C) Jesus Christ Superstar: Roberta Longo, Barbara Zangerl
D) Arboretum: Sara Morandi, Alexandra Balakireva FLASH, Paola Radice, Anna Gallyanova, Roberta Longo FLASH, Raffaella Cottalorda, Giovanna Pozzoli, Barbara Zangerl FLASH, Natalia Vasylenko, Anna Sorotokina
E) Basilisco: Alexandra Balakireva
F) Invito al viaggio: Roberta Longo, Alexandra Balakireva, Anna Gallyanova, Barbara Zangerl FLASH
G) Con forza e dolcezza: Alexandra Balakireva, Barbara Zangerl
H) Fallo con lancio: Not climbed / non salito

BOULDER PROBLEM MEN
Number of problems sent
5 Boulders: Adam Ondra CZE (5 FLASH), Gabriele Moroni ITA (5 FLASH), Anthony Gullsten FIN (2 FLASH), Mauro Calibani ITA (2 FLASH), Michele Caminati ITA (2 FLASH)
4 Boulders: James Pearson GBR (2 FLASH), Riccardo Caprasecca ITA, 3 Boulders, Fabien Dugit FRA (1 FLASH), Andrea Latini ITA, Carlo Giuliberti ITA, Enrico Baistrocchi ITA, Giovanni Pezzullo ITA, Marco Giorgio ITA, Matteo Sera ITA, Silvio Reffo ITA, Simone Raina ITA, Stephane Dugit FRA, Vilimantas Petrasiunas LIT, Giulio Bertola ITA
2 Boulders: Chris Sharma USA (2 FLASH), Gianluigi Tonoli ITA(1 FLASH), Diego Sirtori ITA, Dmitry Sarapaev RUS, Jan Haiko AUT, Marcello Bruccini ITA, Marco Gualtieri ITA, Pietro Tonoli ITA, Samuele Carducci ITA, Sebastian Bush ITA
1 Boulder: Alberto Milani ITA, Fabio Sciandrello ITA, Cristian Brenna ITA, Francesco Bosio ITA, Luca Gatti ITA, Luca Rinaldi ITA, Oscar Amici ITA, Paolo Spreafico ITA, Leonardo Gontero ITA, Tiziano Buccella ITA, Peter Plant ITA
I) L’Ultima follia di Lawrence d’Arabia: Stephane Dugit, Fabien Dugit, Francesco Bosio, Matteo Sera, Michele Caminati FLASH, Gabriele Moroni FLASH, Carlo Giuliberti, Adam Ondra FLASH, Riccardo Caprasecca, Pietro Tonoli, Giulio Bertola, Luigi Tonoli, Silvio Reffo, Marco Gualtieri, Vilimantas Petrasiunas, Giovanni Pezzullo, Dmitry Sarapaev, Enrico Baistrocchi, Chris Sharma FLASH, Mauro Calibani FLASH, Anthony Gullsten FLASH, Simone Raina, James Pearson FLASH, Andrea Latini, Marco Giorgio
L) Mister Manta: Stephane Dugit, Michele Caminati, Gabriele Moroni FLASH, Anthony Gullsten, Adam Ondra FLASH, Chris Sharma FLASH, Mauro Calibani
M) Double Jump: Adam Ondra FLASH, Anthony Gullsten FLASH, Riccardo Caprasecca, Vilimantas Petrasiunas, Giovanni Pezzullo, Simone Raina, Andrea Latini, Enrico Baistrocchi, Luca Rinaldi, Mauro Calibani, Michele Caminati, Gabriele Moroni FLASH, Giulio Bertola, Sebastian Bush, Diego Sirtori, Carlo Giuliberti, Matteo Sera, Fabien Dugit, James Pearson FLASH, Samuele Carducci, Marco Giorgio, Jan Haiko, Marcello Bruccini, Silvio Reffo,
N) The English dream: Not climbed / non salito
O) Maschio Alfa: Adam Ondra FLASH, Anthony Gullsten, Gabriele Moroni FLASH, Mauro Calibani FLASH, Michele Caminati, James Pearson, Riccardo Caprasecca
P) Neanderthal: Not climbed / non salito
Q) Black Ladybird: Fabien Dugit FLASH, Gabriele Moroni FLASH, Michele Caminati FLASH, Stephane Dugit, Mauro Calibani, Simone Raina, Dmitry Sarapaev, Giulio Bertola, Marco Gualtieri, Carlo Giuliberti, Matteo Sera, Marcello Bruccini, Riccardo Caprasecca, Diego Sirtori, Vilimantas Petrasiunas, Sebastian Bush, Anthony Gullsten, Enrico Baistrocchi, Tiziano Buccella, Oscar Amici, Andrea Latini, Paolo Spreafico, Giovanni Pezzullo, Alberto Milani, Jan Haiko, Cristian Brenna, Adam Ondra FLASH, Samuele Carducci, Luca Gatti, Gianluigi Tonoli FLASH, Pietro Tonoli, James Pearson, Marco Giorgio, Silvio Reffo, Fabio Sciandrello, Leonardo Gontero, Peter Plant


> Melloblocco 2011 - the bouldering game in Val Masino
> Melloblocco #1, Copper skies above Monolith by Popi Miotti
> Melloblocco 2011 - everyone's bouldering in Val Masino
> The Melloblocco 2011 bouldering areas
> Melloblocco day one
> Melloblocco day two – it's a record!

Official website www.melloblocco.it