1.
GV PAN Rock face.
0.11

2.
SV climbers prepare to climb.
0.14

3.
CU Climber puts on climbing shoe.
0.19

4.
CU ZOOM OUT TO SV Japanese team.
0.19

5.
SV Ukrainian member begins ascent, TILT UP.
0.34

6.
SV Ukranian member aids colleague's ascent.
0.46

7.
SV Spectator views climb through binoculars.
0.48

8.
SV Ukranian team continues ascent.
1.00

9.
SV Ukranian member descends rock face.
1.22

10.
GV ZOOM IN TO SV Ukranian swings across rock race.
1.26

11.
CU Woman onlooker.
1.28

12.
SV TILT DOWN Ukranian climber abseiling.
1.33

13.
CU Timekeeper.
1.34

14.
SV Ukranian rope.
1.38



Initials JS/2200


SPORT: ROCK CLIMBING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In early October competitors from eight countries gathered in the Soviet Union to take part in rock-climbing competitions. Climbers. Climbers competed in events for teams and individual efforts.

SYNOPSIS: The competition took place at the Kilseburum rock, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the seaside resort of the Yalta, on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula. Two man crews took part in the team competition, which attracted entrants from throughout Europe as well as from Japan. The men climbed in so-called "Dombai" crews, which mean they follow a strictly-defined route with various check points on the way. Here the Ukrainian team starts its climb on home ground.

The heights the climbers reached was not great less than 70 metres (225 feet). The gradient of the climb varied, but much of it was nearly vertical. Safety measures as well as the time taken, count for points. The Ukrainian crew proved the value of local knowledge, by winning the competition in a time of just under 20 minutes.

The Ukranian team consisted of Gennadi Vasilenko (No.31) and Mikhil Turkevich (No.32). Mr. Vasilenko is a 28-year-old steeple-jack from the city of Simferopol, which is situated in the foothills of the Krymskiye Gory mountains, near the range where the competition took place. Mr. Turkevich's occupation is also closely linked to the sport-he is a climbing instructor. Both men are highly experienced and they have been climbing together for four years. The other team from the USSR, the Soviet National cres, finished second, with a team from Czechoslovakia third.