Athletes from a rich diversity of nations claimed the six medals on offer during the opening event of the 2023-24 UIAA Ice Climbing season, partnered by Outdoor Research. Equally positive was the first podiums for a number of athletes, reflecting the impressive progress made by a number of national federations over recent years.
At the UIAA Ice Climbing Continental Open in Zilina, Slovakia, the emerging Spanish team took the men’s gold medal with 17-year old Jorge Veiga Rodriguez producing a remarkable performance. The only other athlete to top the route was Great Britain’s Will Morris who claimed silver, a great result for an athlete who has overcome recent injuries. David Bouffard of Romania, a regular on the World Tour circuit claimed bronze. Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, USA and Japan also saw athletes make the top ten.
Marianne van der Steen, the Netherlands, continued her recent domination of the European continental circuit taking the first gold medal of the season. Her closest rival was the highly-consistent Olga Kosek of Poland. Ladina Heller of Switzerland claimed a first UIAA podium finish to take bronze. Japan, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Finland and Slovakia also had representation in the top ten.
A total of 77 athletes (55 male, 22 female) contested a superbly organised event. Žilina has become a regular early season stop, hosted by the historic Slovak Mountaineering Union (JAMES) and the La Skala Lezecké Climbing Centrum.
A stream of the competition, provided by the organisers, is available on the UIAA YouTube channel. Please subscribe for updates.
Round 2 of the Continental Open season takes place in Brno, Czech Republic on 2 December. This event will also include a Continental Youth Open. A preview will be published on Wednesday 29 November.
Zilina links
Event Page
Registrations
Results
Photos
Photo credits: UIAA/Ivan Šulek