Intro:

Canada's Will Gadd took the top spot at the Ouray Ice Climbing competition in Ouray, Colorado on Saturday (10 January). While another person in their 40s - Jen Olsen - competed in the women's event.

Script:

A weekend when more than 3,000 people visit a tiny town in Colorado - the ice climbing event has become quite a show.

The 20th Annual Ouray Ice Festival was held this past weekend.

Thousands come each year to partake in the climbs - yet when it got down to competition, there were 30 professionals who took on the ice cliffs.

At 40 years of age, Jen Olsen, is showing no signs of slowing down her enthusiasm for the sport.

Brought up in Canmore near Calgary in Canada she is well versed in climbing - having done so since university days.

Olsen achieved fourth place here alongside many half her age.

Over into the men's section, there was another Canmore born who was making his mark on the tournament.

Will Gadd came into the tournament expecting little of himself. The 47-year-old had sustained injuries in the previous year's event, yet made quite an impact.

The Canadian won the mixed event, yet as it proved for Gadd and all the climbers, there was one event that had the beating of everyone.

Nevertheless, Gadd was delighted with his climb:

"It was a lot of fun. I hadn't climbed the lower half before, but I had a good run, thought I climbed it pretty solidly. Have some fun - just some nice climbing. Obviously I didn't unlock the secret of the cracks up there. I was trying to get to the top of the route and I rushed it a bit. I think if I had more time I would have unlocked that. but it was a lot fun. It's Ouray Colorado and it's a sunny day and life is good."