The final UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup medals of the 2025-2026 season, and even more significantly the World Tour titles, were granted during a dramatic last act of the season in Edmonton, Canada.

Taking the World Tour titles:
Louna Ladevant (France) and Marianne van der Steen (Netherlands) – main photo – in lead/difficulty
Mohammadreza Safdarian (Iran) and Selenge Nyamdoo (Mongolia) in speed.

In some of these categories, the verdicts went down to the wire with the entire season decided by a mere seconds.

In freezing and difficult temperatures, Edmonton’s city skyline provided an alluring backdrop to competition hosted in the Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. The weekend was organised by Offbeat Entertainment (YEG Ice Fest) and supported by Explore Edmonton and the Alpine Club of Canada. Throughout the season, the UIAA has counted on the unwavering support and close collaboration with Official Technical Partner Fixe. The World Cup in Edmonton also saw a partnership with Red Bull notably related to side events and the World Tour after party.

Lead (Difficulty): 16 years into five seconds
Going into Edmonton, the men’s World Tour title had already been decided. For the imperious Louna Ladevant, three wins from as many World Cups, the goal was to complete an unprecedented clean sweep. Having surpassed the qualifications and semi-finals with ease, it seemed a perfect season was on the cards. However an uncharacteristic fall a little under halfway into his climb cost Ladevant the chance to take a fourth gold. That honour went to Spain’s Jorge Veiga Rodriguez, who after silver medals in Saas-Fee and Longmont, earned a first World Cup gold, richly deserved for the progress he has made this season. “My game plan was to go for gold, and beat the unbeatable Louna Ladevant who is from another planet,” explained Rodriguez. “I hope my successes this season help the sport grow in Spain.”

World Tour official commentator Matt Groom and Spain’s Jorge Veiga Rodriguez, World Cup lead gold medal winner in Edmonton. UIAA/Slobodan Mišković

The 20-year-old would finish the World Tour in second place and confirm his status as the breakout star of the season. Switzerland’s Jonathan Arthur Brown won silver to take third place in the World Tour while France’s Virgile Devin edged Mohammadreza Safdarian for the World Cup bronze medal in Edmonton. Ladveant also continued his tradition of winning the World Title every three years. Success in 2026 follows that of 2020 and 2023.

After 16 years in the sport, Marianne van der Steen finally achieved her dream of a World Cup gold medal last weekend in Longmont. Going into the event in Canada, she knew that a repeat of that feat would seal the World Tour title. Her principal adversary was France’s highly consistent Marion Salmon-Thomas, winner of a gold, silver and bronze across three World Cup events. In the final, Salmon-Thomas climbed first, topping the route and leaving the Dutch athlete with no margin for error. With everything on the line, van der Steen kept her composure and calm to top the route five seconds faster than her rival. A fitting finale to an incredible season as she explained afterwards: “There was a lot of pressure in my head to get the overall title. This is my 16^th season in ice climbing and winning overall has been something in my dreams. I have never said it out loud. This means everything as it is my life. This is more than one climb, it is about 16 years of ups and downs, some of which nobody knows about.” In amongst all the excitement, Catalina Shirley of the USA took bronze in Edmonton as well as in the seasonal rankings.

Difficulty – World Tour final standings
Men: (1) L Ladevant (FRA), 300 points; (2) JV Rodriguez (ESP), 260 pts; (3) JA Brown (SUI), 182 pts
Women: (1) M Van der Steen (NED), 280 points; (2) M Salmon-Thomas (FRA,) 260 pts; (3) C Shirley (USA), 210 pts

Speed: Iran and Mongolia take spoils

Iran’s Mohammadreza Safdarian won the World Tour title in speed. UIAA/Slobodan Mišković

If Jorge Veiga Rodriguez is the break out star in men’s lead than Linus Beck carries that status in the speed. The 22-year-old from Lichtenstein, like van der Steen, had not won a World Cup gold medal until last weekend in Longmont. And like the Dutch athlete, he only had to wait a week to claim a second. In the dual format and in the driving Alberta snow, he defeated Mohammadreza Safdarian of Iran by 15.20 seconds to 15.76. However, silver for the Iranian was enough for him to take the World Tour Title and finish some 33 points ahead of Beck. Despite being World Champion in speed, this is the first time that Safdarian has claimed the World Tour crown. Bronze in Edmonton was enough for Mongolia’s Mandakhbayar Chuluunbaatar, winner of the last two World Tours, to complete the seasonal podium.

Mongolia have been a force in speed climbing over recent seasons with Selegne Nyamdoo one of the star performers. The 20-year-old edged a very tight speed competition and retained her World Tour title by defeating Olga Kosek in the gold medal climb. This after two gold and two fourth places in the four World Cups. Bronze in Edmonton enabled current world champion Aneta Louzecka take third place in the overall World Tour standings.

Selegne Nyamdoo, Mongolia and Olga Kosek, Poland, embrace after the conclusion of the women’s speed competition. UIAA/Slobodan Mišković

Speed – World Tour standings after three rounds
Men: (1) M Safdarian (IRN), 280 points; (2) L Bck (LIE) 247 pts; (3) M Chuluunbaatar 196 pts
Women: (1) S Nyamdoo (MON), 255 pts; (2) O Kosek (POL), 231 pts; (3) A Loužecká (CZE) 225 points

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