Adidas Rockstars Schedule and Information

The countdown is on: in two and a half weeks time, between the 28th and 31st of July, the world’s best bouldering athletes will gather at AREA 47 in Tirol for the new top-class adidas ROCKSTARS invitational contest, challenging each other in a novel athletic format on artificial rock. In order to duly celebrate the stars of the international bouldering community or rather the "RockStars“, the organisers transform the climbing competition into an elaborately staged show with live music.

Which athlete doesn’t dream of a huge success in front of a great audience or a grand backdrop? For twelve of the world’s best boulderers this dream may come true on the last weekend of July. Because the six men and six women who reach the finals of the adidas ROCKSTARS boulder competition, to which only the top athletes of the international IFSC world ranking were invited, will perform their sport on a veritable grand stage. The venue, the so-called “Area Dome” at AREA 47, measures 3,800 square metres and is Western Austria’s second largest event hall. While the top athletes give it their all to top even the most difficult boulder routes in very few tries, they are not only cheered on by the audience, but also intoxicated by German rock band Orange but Green, who play live during the finals.

But it is not only the combination of sport and music that makes adidas ROCKSTARS a unique boulder event. It is rather the sum of innovations that are supposed to present the sport at its best and put the athletes in the limelight.

First of all, there is the different athletic concept. In a boulder world cup final, the athletes climb simultaneously on four different boulders. The number of reached tops, needed tries and gathered bonus points determines the final result, which leaves some room for tactics. At adidas ROCKSTARS, on the other hand, the finalists are constantly whittled down so the athletes have to push hard at all times in order to stay in the competition. The six finalists first climb on two boulders, one after another. The top three advance to the next round, the other athletes are seen off. To make the competition more thrilling and traceable for spectators, the organisers designed special result graphics for the event that will be screened on the video wall, including the "score to beat", i.e. the result the next boulderer must achieve to stay in the top three ranking.

The remaining three ladies and men will fight on a third boulder for the super final. That’s where the actual world premiere takes place as for the first time ever two competitors will climb an identical route at the same time on a 6-metre-wide “super boulder” without seeing each other. The artificial boulder block that weighs three tons was specifically created and built for the event by ArtRock, a renowned Tyrolean manufacturer of high-end climbing walls. And the organisers go even a step further. In the super final it doesn’t suffice to hold the top grip for three seconds. As it is custom when bouldering outside on natural rock, the athletes must stand with both feet on top of the boulder block and touch a buzzer, which will determine the winner in case of a hairbreadth finish.

At our events the athletes always take centre stage. Only if they feel comfortable they can give a good performance to the point. And outstanding athletic achievement accounts for a good sport event”, says Axel Burkhardt, head of Olympic Sports, Cycling and Outdoor at adidas Global Sports Marketing. In order to live up to this principle, the adidas ROCKSTARS organisers do their utmost to cater for the athletes’ needs within the competition. For example, they abandoned the unpopular isolation during which athletes have to spend hours in a closed room so they don’t see the boulder routes prior to the contest. Instead the boulder world elite can look forward to a carefree package in the backstage area behind the 30-meter wide stage. In the “adidas ROCKSTARS athlete lounge” they will find a massive warm-up wall, extensive catering and the "adidas Reload Centre" offering complimentary massages, physiotherapy and sport medical consulting to all participating pros. "Relaxed all around, well looked after, intoxicated by Orange but Green and encouraged by the crowds our guys and girls will hopefully go beyond themselves", says Event Director Mike Hamel. "And then we can look forward to a spectacular final."

The 47 top boulderers form 14 different countries who have signed up for the adidas ROCKSTARS invitational eagerly anticipate the event that takes place one week after the world championship in Arco, Italy. “It’s always good to try something new”, says local hero Lukas Ennemoser from Längenfeld in Tirol. „I really hope that I will make it to the final so I can enjoy this unique show in front my family and friends.”

The 4-day event taking place on the last weekend in July not only invites to watch but to participate. Aspiring amateurs can snatch a wildcard for the pro competition at the GORE-TEX Be a Rockstar contest and within the scope of the adidas OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE outdoor fans of all ages have the opportunity to meet the stars of the outdoor community in person, to participate in special workshops with adidas athletes, to test new products and to share their outdoor stories with other enthusiasts from around the world.

PROGRAMME

Thursday, 28 July

08:00 - 19:00 Registration (pros and amateurs)
20:00 Welcome Beach Party with Climbers Paradise High Jump Contest on the Deep-Water-Solo wall, Sky Arch, Blobbing an many more attractions around the AREA 47 swimming lake

Friday, 29 July

07:00 - 10:00 Registration (pros and amateurs)
07:30 End of registration (amateurs)
08:00 - 12:30 Qualification GORE-TEX BE A ROCKSTAR (amateurs)

adidas OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE:
09:00 - 18:00 GORE-TEX "Climb Safe"
10:00 - 12:00 Unicycle with Lutz Eichholz
10:00 - 12:00 Slacklining with Lukas Irmler
10:00 - 13:00 MTB Tour with Hans Rey
10:30 - 17:00 Advanced Canyoning with Thomas Kracker
10:30 - 17:00 Advanced Canyoning with Alexander Riml
11:00 - 16:00 Trad Climbing with Beat Kammerlander and Alex Luger
11:00 - 16:00 Rock Bouldering with Bernd Zangerl
11:00 - 16:00 Women’s Bouldering with Barbara Zangerl
13:00 - 15:00 Unicycle with Lutz Eichholz
13:00 - 15:00 Slacklining with Lukas Irmler
15:00 - 19:00 Qualification adidas ROCKSTARS (pros)
19:30 FINAL - GORE-TEX BE A ROCKSTAR Build your Boulder Finale and Beatbox Battle with the Beatbox Battle Allstars
22:00 Champions Party

Saturday, 30. Juli adidas OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE:

09:00 - 11:00 Unicycle with Lutz Eichholz
09:00 - 11:00 Slacklining with Lukas Irmler
09:00 - 18:00 GORE-TEX "Climb Safe"
11:00 - 14:00 MTB Tour with Hans Rey
13:00 - 15:00 Semifinal adidas ROCKSTARS

adidas OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE:

15:00 - 17:00 Unicycle with Lutz Eichholz
15:00 - 17:00 Slacklining with Lukas Irmler
18:00 Admission AREA DOME, show start
18:30
19:00 FINAL - adidas ROCKSTARS with "Orange but Green" live on stage
21:00 SUPER FINAL - adidas ROCKSTARS with „Orange but Green" live on stage
22:00 Champions Party with 4Backwoods and GREEN.FROG.FEET

09:00 - 11:00 Kids Bouldering with Barbara Zangerl
09:00 - 13:00 GORE-TEX "Climb Safe"
10:00 - 11:00 Slacklining with Lukas Irmler

For more information go to www.adidas-rockstars.com.