Canada’s Youth National Team Ready for the 2026 World Climbing Youth Championships

Jul 21, 2026

Canada’s Youth National Team Ready for the 2026 World Climbing Youth Championships

Climbing Escalade Canada’s Youth National Team is in Arco, Italy, for the 2026 World Climbing Youth Championships, taking place from July 18–25.

Twenty-four Canadian athletes will compete in Boulder, Lead and Speed across the U17 and U19 categories. They will join more than 750 athletes representing 68 nations for eight days of competition at one of the world’s most iconic climbing venues.

The U17 category includes athletes born in 2010 and 2011, who turn 15 or 16 during 2026. The U19 category includes athletes born in 2008 and 2009, who turn 17 or 18 during 2026.

Team Canada — U17

  • Anabelle Gonthier — Boulder, Lead and Speed
  • Dayvi Strell — Speed
  • Emile Aubin — Boulder, Lead and Speed
  • Emily Shi — Lead
  • Grayson Kenny — Boulder
  • Jasper Selda — Boulder and Lead
  • Julia Kovats — Speed
  • Mia Thompson — Boulder and Lead
  • Nicolas Arteau — Boulder and Lead
  • Norah Kelly Bou — Boulder
  • Peter Stokoe — Speed
  • Victor Sitar — Speed

Team Canada — U19

  • Antoine Caron — Boulder
  • Ashley Kam (Wai Ching) — Lead and Speed
  • Avery MacDonald — Boulder, Lead and Speed
  • Bruce Kong — Speed
  • Iyla Behrns — Speed
  • Jack Vanderheide — Boulder and Lead
  • Noah Schwartz — Lead
  • Olivier Turgeon — Lead
  • Ryan Nolen Bou — Speed
  • Sam Corsi — Speed
  • Sienna Chow — Boulder and Lead
  • Sofia Smale — Boulder

Competition Schedule

The championships begin with Lead before moving into Speed and Boulder:

  • July 18 — U17 Lead qualification
  • July 19 — U19 Lead qualification
  • July 20 — U17 and U19 Lead semifinals and finals
  • July 21 — U17 and U19 Speed practice, qualification and finals
  • July 22 — U17 Boulder qualification
  • July 23 — U19 Boulder qualification
  • July 24 — U17 Boulder semifinals and finals
  • July 25 — U19 Boulder semifinals and finals, followed by the closing ceremony

Supporting the Team

The athletes are supported in Arco by Team Canada coaches:

  • Aidan Doyle
  • Elizabeth Maffett
  • Frédéric Desgranges
  • Olivier Dorion-Thériault
  • Regan Kennedy

CEC extends its sincere thanks to the coaching team for their preparation, leadership and commitment to supporting the athletes throughout the championships.

We also recognize the essential contributions of the athletes’ parents, families, personal coaches, clubs and provincial organizations. The opportunity to represent Canada on the world stage is built on years of training and the sustained support of the communities surrounding each athlete.

Good luck to every member of the Canadian team as they compete in Arco. Climb well, support one another and enjoy the opportunity to represent Canada against the world’s best young climbers.

Go Canada!

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