The Ice Climbing Working Group (ICWG) led the delivery of a very successful 2022-23 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour which saw 820 athlete event entries across seven events in as many countries and on two continents. After the season, the ICWG processed its own findings from the current season and integrated athlete feedback. Amongst the priorities was a revision of rules and regulations, an evaluation of future governance models, close collaboration with athletes and a greater focus on youth development.
In May 2023, the UIAA Management Committee agreed to the renaming of the ICWG as the Ice Climbing Governing Group (ICGG). This Group was also given an extension into 2024 to continue its work and to propose definitive recommendations for the future of the sport, to be discussed at subsequent MC meetings and voted on at a future UIAA General Assembly. The ICGG will divide itself into groups of expertise: primarily – athletes, technical and development groups. The ICGG will also expand its membership with the addition of at least two new members including at least one athlete representative.
ICGG Representatives
Members
Martin LASCANO – UIAA Executive Board Member – FASA (Argentina), chair, UIAA EB member, former FASA General Secretary and Argentinian Olympic Committee advisor for Sport Climbing during 2018 Youth Olympic Games
Eimir MCSWIGGAN – UIAA Athlete Commission Member – Mountaineering Ireland, active Ice Climbing athlete
Gyuhyoung MIN – Korean Alpine Federation
Heeyong PARK – UIAA Athlete Commission Member – Korean Alpine Federation, active Ice Climbing athlete
Phil POWERS – UIAA Management Committee Member – American Alpine Club, UIAA MC member, former AAC Executive Director
Andy SYME – UIAA General Member representative – British Mountaineering Council President
Office
At a UIAA Office level, daily managament of the UIAA Ice Climbing World tour is spearheaded by Rob Adie, Sports Event Coordinator and Nils Glatthard, Director of Operations. The office is also responsible for the communication of the sport and liaising with companies providing livestreaming and the live results service.
Judges
Judges are key personnel in charge of the respect of the sports rules and overseeing the final results. If the national body already has their skilled judges, the UIAA encourages working with them. Otherwise, the UIAA provides training courses to become recognised UIAA international judges. These people are skilled to judge at international events such as World Cups or World Championships. They can also judge on a lower rank of competition: national and regional. If there is no judge available in the country, the team manager can contact the UIAA, or directly contact an international judge, in order to provide a judge for the host country’s event.
Routesetters
Route-setters are key to any international competition or national selection. They are in charge of setting the routes where athletes will climb. Together with the judges, they are also in charge of the safety of climbers during their ascent.