A Maple Ridge rock climber has set three new Canadian speed records at world competition in Finland.
Avery MacDonald competed in the women's U17 category at the Youth World Sport Climbing Championships, held July 23 to Aug. 2, in Helsinki, Finland, where the teen scaled a 15 metre wall multiple times in qualifying rounds, setting a new Canadian record with each run.
MacDonald would enter the head-to-head knockout rounds of the finals with a time of 8.54 seconds.
The teen set a final Canadian record with her last run, with a time of 8.47 seconds against opponent Jiaxin Tang of China, who would ultimately take the silver medal.
There are three sport climbing disciplines: lead, boulder, and speed, and in the upcoming 2028 Olympics, all three climbing disciplines will be awarded medals.
MacDonald is one of a select few Canadian youth to achieve podium finishes at the national level in all three disciplines in successive years.
She is the current national champion for lead and boulder and is hoping to secure a spot on Team Canada heading to Arco, Italy in 2026, for the 35th IFSC U17 and U19 Youth World Championships.
