Climber Shauna Coxsey has become the first woman to climb ‘The Olympiad’ - a 12-metre route above the Celtic Sea in Pembrokeshire which ranks as Britain’s hardest Deep Water Solo climb,

She completed the notoriously exposed challenge on just her second attempt - the fastest ascent of the route to date.

The Sheffield-born Red Bull athlete took on one of Britain’s most intimidating climbing challenges at Skrinkle Haven this summer.

The 12-metre route rises above the Celtic Sea on a steep, 45° overhanging wall, meaning a successful attempt requires climbers to tackle difficult moves high above open water with the tide, wind, temperature and humidity all adding to the challenge.

Graded 8b/5.13d, ‘The Olympiad’ was established by Neil Gresham in 2012 and has only been climbed by a handful of people.

Coxsey’s ascent marks the sixth successful ascent of the route and makes her the first woman to complete it.

Shauna Coxsey climbs the deep-water solo route Olympiad in Pembrokeshire, Wales on August 22, 2026. // Jessica Glassberg / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202609090013 // Usage for editorial use only //
The Sheffield-born Red Bull athlete took on one of Britain’s most intimidating climbing challenges at Skrinkle Haven. (Jessica Glassberg/Red Bull Content Pool )

Remarkably, Coxsey completed the route on just her second attempt, making it the quickest ascent of the line to date.

Previously, Josh Ibbertson held the record for the fastest ascent, completing the route over three sessions using a ground-up approach.

For Coxsey, the challenge represents a change of scenery from the competition climbing that made her one of Britain’s best-known climbers.

Since retiring from competition, she has focused primarily on outdoor bouldering while continuing to explore new and more adventurous disciplines, including a big-wall first ascent in Nigeria in 2025.

She said: “Olympiad is one of the most captivating climbs I’ve ever seen. I wanted to climb it from the moment I first saw it, but I was braced for a battle. The moves are hard, and it’s a lot longer than I’m used to, plus the logistics are crazy. Trying the route above water was wild! With the tide, temps, wind and humidity, it feels almost impossible to get perfect conditions.”

Despite expecting a long battle with the route, Coxsey managed to complete it on her second try. She added: “Sending this route on my second try from the start was not at all what I expected, and I still can’t quite believe it. It was an experience that will stay with me forever and one of my favourite climbing moments to date. I am also still very shocked that I decided to jump off the top after sending! I can’t wait to share the film with everyone.”

Shauna Coxsey celebrates after climbing the deep-water solo route Olympiad in Pembrokeshire, Wales on August 22, 2026. // Jessica Glassberg / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202609090007 // Usage for editorial use only //
Commenting on the ascent, Shauna said: “Olympiad is one of the most captivating climbs I’ve ever seen!” (Jessica Glassberg/Red Bull Content Pool)

First ascensionist Neil Gresham said:“Shauna Coxsey never ceases to amaze me. Everyone knows of her competition successes, yet she seems to be able to switch to other climbing styles at the drop of a hat. Olympiad was Shauna’s first DWS, yet it’s Britain’s hardest; no other woman had attempted it before, and she did it quickly.

“The stakes were high as we only had good conditions on one day, yet she stayed calm and delivered the goods with a light touch.”

Coxsey now looks ahead to returning to her project on Giuliano Cameroni’s Hazel Grace Sit (8C/V15) in the Gotthard Pass, Switzerland.