LONGMONT, Colo. — Competitors from 16 countries descended on a Colorado gym this week to vie for a world championship title — one you won’t find at the Olympic Games.
The Climbing Collective in Longmont is hosting the Ice Climbing World Cup for the second consecutive year, bringing together elite athletes in a sport still working its way toward Olympic recognition. The event nearly didn’t happen after a December windstorm tore the roof off the gym, but a community rallying effort got the facility back on its feet in just eight days.
“We have 16 different countries here fighting to be the ice climbing world cup champion,” said Bryan Hylenski, co-owner of the Climbing Collective…