"Climbers are unique athletes"

David Lama is the world's biggest climbing talent and is currently making the most of every opportunity to show it. Let's take some recent examples: in spring, David was the youngest competitor at 15 years of age ever to take part in the climbing World Cup, and came second. He won his second and third World Cup events in Dresden (Germany) and Hall (Austria), making history in Dresden as the youngest ever World Cup winner. At the European Championships in Yekaterinburg (Russia) at the beginning of July, David also stood on the top step of the podium, taking the gold medal in the "Lead" event. In an interview, David reveals his views on winning, talks about granite towers and explains why he is part of a new generation.

European Champion at adult level aged just 15 - what does that feel like?
For sure it's great to win the gold medal, but to be honest, I didn't think the European Championships were anything to write home about.

How come?
There was relatively little interest from the public, and because of that the atmosphere was never that great. It makes it difficult to enjoy everything fully.

But isn't being crowned Europe's best climber endorsement enough?
I think us climbers are a little odd in that respect. Especially rock climbers. If they don't complete a route, it's not the end of the world. It's much more important for the day as a whole to be a good one. So climbing with friends and then getting together afterwards. Sometimes reaching the goal becomes secondary, because you know that at some point you'll manage the route anyway.

Does that mean that winning is not so important?
No, of course not - you climb because you want to reach the very top. But I can only enjoy a win if I've climbed really well, for example. If I've just struggled to the top and still manage to win, I think, "maybe someone else would have deserved it more."

So what has been your sweetest victory to date?
Definitely winning the Boulder World Cup in Hall. The atmosphere was fantastic and to climb so well in front of my home crowd was just amazing.

Your coach Reini Scherer says that "there's a kind of revolution in the making here." Would you agree?
Yes, but he's not just talking about me. A new generation of several young climbers is emerging. For example, Magnus Midtboe from Norway - he is 17, has won everything at junior level and has definitely got a great career ahead of him.

But you're two years younger and have already reached the top at "adult" level...
Yes, but Magnus doesn't have his own coach. That's certainly one advantage I've got: Reini is very experienced and coaches me on aspects that are very important in competition.

For example?
For example jumping to the next hold, when your hands and legs are momentarily in the air at the same time. That works really well.

In what areas are you better than your competitors?
I don't think there are any to be totally honest. If you ask me, I think that the top eight in the world rankings could win at any time. I've just had an unbelievably good run.

So what's next on the agenda?
I'm flying to America for a holiday! We're hoping to climb granite towers 1,000 metres high in a Californian national park. It's going to be fantastic.