Brother wins silver

Silver! Timo Uznik stands in for brother Nicolai

Timo Uznik took silver in Klagenfurt.(Bild: Kuess (2))

Tyrolean Jan-Luca Posch was crowned state champion at the national bouldering championships in Klagenfurt's Boulderama on Sunday. "Surprisingly, 18-year-old Timo Uznik came second. His brother, European champion Nicolai, just watched. He has to take a break for the time being with a finger injury - and is worried about preparing for the Olympics.

The red-white-red bouldering elite in Klagenfurt - and Carinthia's European champion Nicolai Uznik just watched. After injuring his ring finger in the qualification on Saturday, he skipped the final day in the Boulderama and gave up his title to Jan-Luca Posch (T) without a fight. 

Vice national champion: Timo Uznik(Bild: Kuess)

Posch caught Uznik's brother Timo, who finished a strong second, in the last boulder. Posch is considered Nicolai's only challenger for the Olympic ticket for Paris.

Trembling for the ring finger
Much worse, however, is that Nicolai's preparation for the important qualifying events for Paris in Shanghai in May and Budapest in June is in jeopardy. The World Cup opener in China in April is also in doubt.

Was condemned to watch in the Boulderama on Sunday: Nicolai Uznik.(Bild: Kuess)

"I already had this exact injury last year. I can climb well with it 80 percent of the time - but as soon as I can no longer use my little finger for support, it becomes painful. It can drag on for weeks," says the 23-year-old, who will have to take a break for at least a week.

An ultrasound will then show whether further measures are necessary. "I hope that China works out," says Uznik, who completed two routes in the qualifiers in Klagenfurt despite the pain. "I really wanted to go all the way at home."

Pilz wins women's title
Jessica Pilz took the women's title ahead of Franziska Sterrer. There were no more Carinthians on the final day because Villach's European Cup ace Mattea Pötzi decided not to compete.