by Mick Ryan Leah Crane Earlier this year Scarpa UK ran adverts in the climbing mags and on UKClimbing.com offering four places on their Youth Academy programme or S-Factor team. They received hundreds of applicants from young climbers all over the UK. The prizes include: A substantial product placement contract for 12 months, including, rock shoes, approach shoes and supporting accessories.Expert coaching and commercial guidance from Andy Earl.Attendance to Scarpa team meetings and an opportunity to climb with and learn from the Scarpa´s Pro´ climbers including Dave MacLeod. A years free access to the Climbing Works. Meetings with Scarpa rock shoe designers.Steve Roberts of the Mountain Boot Company, founder of the concept said ? Emerging from a deluge of CV?s and proposals, Andy Earl and I have just finished appointing the 4 winners. The standard of applications was very high and it provided a challenge to only choose 4!.” The lucky winners are: (photos here) Ben Cossey 23 A visiting Aussie, Ben has already created a name in the UK, with his head torch lit ascent of Parthion Shot E9 and solo of Gaia E8!.Celebrating his new deal, he marched up to Stanage and made the 3rd ground up ascent of Careless Torque Font 8a, sporting his Mago?s and new Scarpa team mat!.Set to reside in the UK for the next 5 years, we can only say watch this space! Zoe Ogden 24 A talented boulderer and sport climber, recently appointed to the British team, with strong aspirations to develop in competitions and on sport climbs in the UK. Daniel Kennard 22 Based in Huddersfield and all ready well established in the Yorkshire scene, Daniel has an impressive list of boulder and route ascents on his CV already with loads more to come. Leah Crane 17 Described by Planet Fear as ?the UK?s most promising female rock athlete!?, Leah is also a member of the British bouldering team. A real all rounder, she has an impressive CV, including sport, trad, solo and ice! More details atwww.scarpa.co.uk