The first of the twelve events which make up the 2024-2025 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour, partnered by Outdoor Research, was held in Zilina, Slovakia on Saturday 23 November.

A total of 77 athletes from 14 nations competed with a number of first-time podium finishes. Japan’s Haruko Takeuchi has been a regular presence in the top ten of competitions throughout the past two campaigns and was rewarded for that consistency by taking the first women’s gold medal of the season. Aneta Louzecka of the Czech Republic, reigning World Champion in speed and often a top three finisher in lead, took the silver with Anick Teepe of the Netherlands crowning her best ever performance in a UIAA-sanctioned event by claiming bronze.

Youth came to the fore in the men’s event with the fastly improving Spanish team taking gold. Henoc Garcia Montaya, 20, has taken medals at a youth level but this was his first ever podium finish as a senior. Poland’s Jan Mondzelewski, 37, claimed silver with a first podium finish and France’s Mehdi Bouchet Bert Manoz, 23, taking bronze in only his second season on the World Tour circuit.

It was the sixth time that Zilina has hosted a UIAA-sanctioned event and it marked the first of four successive Saturdays with European competition taking place in different European venues. The event was organised by the Slovak Mountaineering Union (JAMES).

A replay of competition is available on the UIAA YouTube channel:

Round 2 of the European continental season takes place in Bern, Switzerland on Saturday 30 November. The World Cup events, the first of five, start on the weekend of 10-12 January in Cheongsong, South Korea.

Photos from the event can be found on the UIAA Flickr Channel. Credit: UIAA/Ardian Bielec

Further Information
Zilina event page
UIAA Ice Climbing 2024-2025 season calendar
Operating Unit ‘World Ice Climbing’ created