USA Climbing is proud to announce that the USA Climbing National Team Trials and Paraclimbing National Championships will be combined into one National Team-qualifying event for our Elite and Paraclimbing series for the 2023 season.

The combined 2023 USA Climbing National Team Trials and Paraclimbing National Championship will be the first event of its kind in the U.S. and will be held at Mesa Rim in Austin, TX February 28th – March 5th. The National Team Trials will be the second and final selection event for the Elite series whereas the Paraclimbing Nationals is the sole selection event for the Paraclimbing series. By the conclusion of both events, top athletes will be designated to represent the U.S. at international World Cup and Paraclimbing World Cup events sanctioned by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC).

During the first portion of the events, athletes will compete in all three disciplines of climbing – Bouldering, Lead, and Speed – featuring the new Boulder & Lead Combined Olympic format over the course of the 4-day competition. The 2023 U.S. National Team will be composed of the top five (5) ranked U.S. athletes per gender in each respective discipline including a Boulder & Lead Team after the conclusion of this event.  In 2023, athletes from the newly formed Boulder & Lead Team and Speed Team will begin their quest of earning a spot for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“Mesa Rim is thrilled to partner with USA Climbing to bring both the Para National Championships and National Team Trials to our brand-new Austin facility,” said Mesa Rim CEO, Ian McIntosh. “At Mesa, climbing is all about finding joy through the exploration of movement. These athletes will showcase that pursuit at the highest levels trying to earn national championships, spots on the U.S. Team, and opportunities to compete at the 2024 Olympic qualifying events. We couldn’t be more excited to host them and celebrate such a spectacular demonstration of our sport.”

The 2023 Paraclimbing National Championships will kick off immediately following the National Team Trials where the top three ranked US athletes per gender in each category will go on to represent the U.S. as a part of the Paraclimbing National Team.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to bring these two great events to Austin,” said John Muse, Vice President of Sport for USA Climbing. “Having an amazing partner like Mesa Rim to help us unify these two series will without a doubt bring these events to a new level.”

Registration information will be coming soon along with details regarding YouTube livestream coverages and ESPN broadcast dates. Information regarding lodging and spectating will also be shared closer to the events.