Speed climber Sarah Tetzlaff is heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with an extra spring in her step, after breaking the Oceania Speed Climbing record just two-weeks before the Games.
Competing in Southern France as part of her Olympic buildup, Tetzlaff scaled the 15m high wall in 8.4s flat, to set a new Oceania record.
“Games preparation is going really well and it was awesome to see the hard work in action as I got that time,” said Tetzlaff.
“I actually broke the record twice that day so it’s a nice little confidence boost to do that right before the Olympics.”
Tetzlaff will compete alongside fellow speed climber Julian David, with the pair set to become New Zealand’s first ever speed climbers to compete at the Olympics.
“I can’t wait to get to Paris and compete on the Olympic wall, the venue looks amazing!”
“It’s such a privilege to be one of only 28 speed climbers total that will race on that wall - that’ll be a special thing for me.”
Tetzlaff says she’s been focussing on the mental side of her preparation, as well as the physical.
“My main goals in Paris are to enjoy myself and to put out a great performance under the intense conditions.
“I feel really nervous to compete on such a big stage and I have been training really hard for this moment both physically and mentally, so I would be over the moon if I did some really quick runs on the day.”
Speed climbing is a form of sport climbing, where athletes compete for the fastest time to the top of the climbing wall. The competition takes place on a standardised 15m high wall, with the same holds and route used each time for consistency.