British climber Shauna Coxsey has made history after becoming the first woman to complete Olympiad, an 8b deep-water solo route in Pembrokeshire, Wales. She conquered the challenging climb in just two attempts, also recording the fastest ascent of the route so far.
The achievement came on the 12-metre route at Skrinkle Haven, where climbers tackle a steep overhanging wall above the Celtic Sea without ropes. Shauna’s successful ascent adds another major milestone to her career and marks a notable achievement for women in the sport.
“The Olympiad is one of the most captivating climbs I’ve ever seen,” says Shauna. “I wanted to climb it from the moment I first saw it, but I was braced for a battle. The moves are hard, and it’s a lot longer than I’m used to, plus the logistics are crazy.”
Olympiad is a solo route in Skrinkle Haven in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK, of 12 metres deep water. The route then runs along the overhanging 45 degree wall above the Celtic sea, forcing the climber to make difficult moves and then swim out in the sea.
Key Highlights:
- Shauna has become the first woman to complete the Olympiad route
- She completed the challenging 8b route in just two attempts
- Her ascent marks a significant milestone for women in climbing
Graded 8b/5.13d – an elite level of climbing difficulty – Olympiad is described as the UK’s hardest deep-water solo climb. Deep water soloing: climbing above open water and relying on the water for a landing in case of fall.
In 2012 Neil Gresham set up the route and Shauna's ascent was the sixth successful. The other ascents were made by British climbers Steve McClure, Edmund Morris, Josh Ibbertson and Cailean Harker.
The conditions made the climb even harder. With no rope, a fall meant dropping straight into the sea. “Trying the route above water was wild,” Shauna says. “With the tide, temps, wind, and humidity, it feels almost impossible to get perfect conditions."
Shauna wasn't expecting to send the line at this pace. This was my second attempt and I had no idea it was going to be sent from the start so I'm still not quite sure how it happened," she says. “It was an experience that will stay with me forever and one of my favorite climbing moments to date.”
The feat marks another step in Shauna's career, demonstrating her prowess and versatility in tackling some of the steepest routes she has attempted. Not only was her climb up Olympiad a big leap for women climbers, but also it is the first time when a woman has taken on one of the most difficult deep water solo routes in the UK.
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