The UIAA Ice Climbing Commission (ICICC) has decided to ban the use of spurs, effective from the 2009 competition season.
The decision was made after a new survey of competition competitors showed that the majority of the athletes prefer not to use spurs.
The commission notes that the use of spurs is becoming increasingly rare not just in competitions, but also in the opening of new routes. Following this natural trend, spurs will therefore not be allowed in the 2009 Ice Climbing competition season.
The UIAA Ice Climbing Commission believes that with the help of improved techiques and imagination, athletes will develop new sequence moves which do not require the use of spurs. We are looking forward to seeing this development of the sport in the next Ice Climbing competition season.
