Athletes from the following countries – Canada, Czechia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United States as well as from host country, Finland – took part in the Continental Cup, organised by FINICE in partnership with the Climbing Club of Oulu.

On the line were the final Continental Cup medals of the season as well as the Continental titles.

Medal winners in the women’s event (l-r) Ilona Serrer, Aneta Louzecka, Weronika Wieczorek. Credit: Karim Pinter/FINICE

Women: A silver medal in Finland following a gold and two bronzes, granted France’s Ilona Serrer the Continental title. The 21-year is one the emerging talents on the circuit. Fittingly the gold medal went to Aneta Louzecka of Czechia. Louzecka, reigning world champion in speed, has featured in almost every world and continental level event this season. Across an impressive campaign she has won two World Cup silvers and two bronzes in speed as well as a Continental silver in difficulty (lead). This also guaranteed her second place in the Continental Tour ahead of World Tour champion Marianne van der Steen who did not compete in Oulu. There was also time for a new medallist, Weronika Wieczorek from Poland. The 24-year crowning her debut season on the circuit with a bronze.

Men: There was no surprise in the men’s competition. Like Louzecka, Spain’s Jorge Veiga Rodriguez, has been one of the most active climbers on the World Tour. A brilliant season for the 20-year has seen him take his first World Cup medals (two silvers and a gold) as well as dominate the Continental series. After starting the winter slowly, he has now claimed four straight Continental gold medals. Silver in Oulu went to another stellar talent in Liechtenstein’s Linus Beck. More notably a speed climber (two World Cup golds in 2026), this performance showed his versatility. An incredible season for Team Liechtenstein was sealed both with the bronze medal going to Samuel Eberle and the Gantner brothers, Andreas and Florian, finishing on the Continental podium.

Final Continental Season Rankings 
Women: (1) I Serrar (FRA) 348 points; (2) A Louzecka (CZE) 341 pts (3), M Van der Steen (NED), 317 pts;
Men: (1) JV Rodriguez (ESP), 431 points; (2) A Gantner (LIE), 268 pts; (3) F Gantner (LIE), 250 pts

France won the team ranking ahead of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Details on the calendar for the 2026-2027 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour will be communicated in due course.

Further Resources

Results
Event programme
Registered athletes
Photos

Main photo: Credit: FINICE / Mikko Tolonen

Action takes place on Saturday 7 March. The event programme sees the full senior competition in difficulty (lead) take place alongside youth categories. Athletes from the following countries are expected to take part – Canada, Czechia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United States as well as from host country, Finland. The event, FINICE, is organised is partnership with the Climbing Club of Oulu.

Livestreaming will be available from the finals, taking place at 16:15 local time (EET). For the full programme please click here. Subscribe to the UIAA YouTube channel to receive livestream notifications and reminders.

On the line are the final Continental Cup medals of the season as well as the Continental titles.

Women: Of the athletes set to compete, Illona Serrar of France is the top ranked continental athlete. She has taken two bronzes (Utrecht, Zilina) as well as a gold last time out in Sunderland. She is currently a few points behind, Netherlands’ Marianne van der Steen, who last weekend sealed the World Tour title in Edmonton after historic back-to-back World Cup gold medals. The women’s competition will be bolstered by the presence of speed world champion Aneta Louzecka. She has medalled at a number of competitions this season but has yet to claim a gold medal. Could this be the weekend?

Men: The breakout start of the World Cup season, Spain’s Jorge Veiga Rodriguez, will seek to seal the Continental title in Oulu. He won his first World Cup gold medal last weekend to earn overall second place on the World Tour and has dominated the Continental season. Liechtenstein’s Andreas Gantner, currently in second, will also compete in Finland. His best performances came with bronze medals in Zilina and Utrecht. Young brother Florian, who has both Continental and World Cup medals from this season, will also make a charge for the the final Continental Tour podium. A strong Liechtenstein team includes Linus Beck, winner of back to back World Cup speed gold medals. Can he demonstrate his versatility on the lead wall?

Current Continental Season Rankings (after six rounds)
Women: (1) M Van der Steen (NED), 317 points; (2) I Serrar (FRA) 309.5 pts; (3) A Louzecka (CZE) 288 pts
Men: (1) JV Rodriguez (ESP), 349 points; (2) A Gantner (LIE), 268 pts; (3) JA Brown (SUI) 245 pts

Further Resources

Live Results
Event programme
Registered athletes

Main photo: Jorge Veiga Rodriguez climbing to gold at the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Edmonton. Credit: UIAA / Slobodan Mišković

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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Further Details
Event page
Event programme
Photos
Results

Housed in the city’s Louise McKinney Riverfront Park, the competition in Edmonton offers a demonstration of how world-class ice climbing events can be staged in downtown urban locations. Large crowds are set to descend on the venue where the city skyline acts as a backdrop for the competitions organised by Offbeat Entertainment (YEG Ice Fest) and supported by Explore Edmonton and the Alpine Club of Canada. As has become tradition at this event, the YEG Ice Fest will offer the general public a series of clinics and activities where they can test themselves on the competition walls.

On Friday 27 February, the entire speed competition and lead qualifications will take place with Saturday 28 February dedicated to the lead semi-finals and finals.

The competition will also see Red Bull support the UIAA in both marketing and onsite activities. This will include an event vehicle DJ, gifts and prizes for guests and athletes and the hosting of an after party. “We are delighted to welcome Red Bull as a partner for not only the final World Cup of the season but for the most decisive event in the calendar. Their presence will bring an amazing energy to the competition with lots of benefits for athletes and spectators. We look forward to exploring more collaborations with Red Bull in the future,” explains UIAA CEO André von Rotz.

Livestreaming will be available for the speed finals as well as the lead semi-finals and finals. A recap of how the medals were won last weekend in Longmont, USA can be found below. The event programme can be viewed in full here.

Nearly 100 athletes from host country Canada, Czechia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong – China, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Lichtenstein, Mongolia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States will compete.

Lead (Difficulty): Team France aims for historic double
The French ice climbing team will seek to make history by sealing the World Tour titles in both the men’s and women’s lead competitions. The men’s is already wrapped up with one of the sport’s leading talents, Louna Ladevant, winning all three World Cups to date. Ladevant is targeting personal history by winning all four.

For France to win the women’s title as well, Marion Salmon-Thomas will need to defend her 43-point lead over Marianne van der Steen, Netherlands, who won her first ever World Cup gold last weekend in Colorado. Should the two athletes make the final eight, a gripping conclusion to the season is guaranteed. Salmon-Thomas has podiumed at all three World Cups, taking a gold, silver and a bronze. The USA’s Catalina Shirley still has an outside chance of taking the World Tour title.

Saturday 28 February, 11:30 local time

Saturday 28 February, 19:00 local time

Difficulty – World Tour standings after three rounds
Men: (1) L Ladevant (FRA), 300 points; (2) Y Lee (KOR), 177 pts; (3) M Kim (KOR), 170 pts
Women: (1) M Salmon-Thomas (FRA), 245 points; (2) M Van der Steen (NED), 202 pts; (3) C Shirley (USA), 165 pts

Speed: Safdarian and Loužecká hold slender advantage
Iran’s Mohammadreza Safdarian and Czechia’s Aneta Loužecká are in the driving seat for the World Tour titles. However, their leads are slender. Safdarian has won the two World Cups he has competed in, so in the dual format speed competition, is the athlete to beat. Team Liechtenstein have two athletes, Florian Gantner and Linus Beck, winner in Longmont, poised should Safdarian falter. Mohsen Beheshti Rad of Iran and Mongolia’s Mandakhbayar Chuluunbaatar also have a realistic chance of the title or at least making the World Tour podium.

Like Safdarian, Loužecká has fond memories of Edmonton having won the World Championship title in Alberta in 2024. Her season has been one of consistency. After two silvers and a bronze, she will seek to finish with an elusive gold. Mongolia’s reigning World Tour winner Selenge Nyamdoo, who won a gold in Saas-Fee as a sandwich to two fourth places, is a mere 15 points behind and Poland’s Olga Kosek, triumphant in Cheongsong, just 21 points from the lead. Lea Beck, Liechtenstein, and Shirley, are also in the running but will likely need gold medal performances and other athletes to exit the competition early.

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Friday 27 February, 19:30 local time

Speed – World Tour standings after three rounds
Men: (1) M Safdarian (IRN), 200 points; (2) F Gantner (LIE), 175 pts, (3) L Beck (LIE) 157 pts; (4) M Beheshti Rad (IRN); 145 pts; (5) M Chuluunbaatar 131 pts
Women: (1) A Loužecká (CZE) 225 points; (2) S Nyamdoo (MON), 210 pts; (2) O Kosek (POL), 202 pts; (4) L Beck (LIE) 195 pts; (5) C Shirley (USA) 167 pts

Celebrating a partnership with Fixe
Fixe joined the UIAA as Official Technical Partner. The technical staff and teams at each 2026 World Cup event are using Fixe ropes, carabiners, anchors, harnesses, and helmets, with the brand covering all organisational needs in these product categories. At the World Cup in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, the UIAA and Fixe came together to offer an overview of their partnership and wider benefits for athletes and officials.

Further Details
Event page
Event programme
Photos
Registered athletes

How to follow the World Cups
For each World Cup event, a preview and review press release will be made available. Subscribe here to UIAA ice climbing press releases.

Livestreaming will be made available on the UIAA YouTube channel for all semi-finals and finals and certain qualification rounds.

On the UIAA Facebook and Instagram channels, shortform content including video clips and behind the scenes highlights will be posted as well as updates about livestreaming timings as well as podium winner posts and ‘climbs of the weekend’ clips.

Live results are available from the UIAA Results service.

The UIAA Ice Climbing website provides full information about each event including programmes and provisional timings.

Photos from competitions will available on the UIAA Flickr Channel. A ‘best of’ gallery for media wishing to preview the 2025-2026 season is available here.

Photo credit: UIAA/Slobodan Mišković

Action commences on Saturday 21 February with the entire speed competition and the lead (difficulty) qualifiers. The following day, the semi-finals and finals of difficulty take centre stage.

Last time out: Highlights from round 2 in Saas-Fee (Switzerland)

The World Tour visits Longmont for the second time after an inaugural competition in 2025. The event is organised in collaboration with the Longmont Climbing Collective and the American Alpine Club supported by USA Ice Climbing.

Following two captivating World Cups in Cheongsong (South Korea) and Saas-Fee (Switzerland), the World Tour verdicts will be decided in back-to-back events in North America. Following the competition in Longmont, the season decider will take place in Edmonton (Canada) a week later.

Nearly 100 athletes from the following countries – Azerbaijan, Canada, Czechia, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong China, Ireland, Japan, Lichtenstein, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States – are registered for round 3.

Lead (Difficulty): Contenders in action
Louna Ladevant (France) has dominated the men’s competition with two wins out of two. Another victory in the USA would practically seal the World Tour title. His two closest adversaries, Lee Younggeon and Min Cheol Kim of the South Korea are both registered and will seek to capitalise on any slip up by the Frenchman. In terms of the podium contenders, the men’s competition is stacked with talent. Spain’s Jorge Veiga Rodriguez claimed a first World Cup medal with a silver in Saas-Fee and has since won two Continental Cups in Malbun and Sunderland. While some athletes have taken a break from competition over the past few weeks, Rodriguez has maintained his edge. And with the likes of Virgile Devin (France), Tristan Ladevant (France), Florian and Andreas Gantner (Liechtenstein) and Jonathan Brown (Switzerland) currently registered, a high quality final eight is guaranteed.

Lead Semi-Finals. Sunday 22 February, 12:00 local time

All three of the leading women – Marion Salmon Thomas (France), Marianne van der Steen (Netherlands) and Celina Bosshard (Switzerland) will compete in Longmont further intensifying the quest to become World Tour champion. Like the men’s competition, the deeper field is highly-competitive with a significant number of athletes having their sights set on medals. This includes two athletes who regularly go deep in both speed and lead – Aneta Louzecka (Czechia) and Catalina Shirley (USA). With over 20 athletes registered, Team USA will hope to leverage home advantage.

Lead Finals. Sunday 22 February, 17:00 local time

Difficulty – World Tour standings after two rounds
Men: (1) L Ladevant (FRA), 200 points; (2) Y Lee (KOR), 130 pts; (3) M Kim (KOR), 127 pts
Women: (1) M Salmon-Thomas (FRA), 165 points; (2) M Van der Steen (NED), 102 pts; (3) C Bosshard (SUI), 102 pts

Speed: Mongolia to stake claim
With the absence of the two leaders in the men’s competition, Mohammadreza Safdarian and Mohsen Beheshti Rad, Longmont presents an opportunity for some other athletes to take the spotlight. The Mongolian men’s team have not yet hit the heights of recent seasons, or better have not hit the heights at the speed we have become accustomed to. Regular World Cup winners Mandakhbayar Chuluunbaatar and Kherlen Nyamdoo will both be on the hunt for a first gold of the season. However, outside of the two aforementioned Iranian climbers it is Lichtenstein’s Florian Gantner who has been the best performing speed climber.

Speed Finals. Saturday 21 February, 18:00 local time

In the women’s competition, Selenge Nyamdoo, returned to her imperious form in Saas-Fee and heads the leaderboard. However her advantage is a slender one over Poland’s Olga Kosek and Louzecka (CZE). Likely to put in strong performances are Lea Beck (LIE) and Shirley, who represents the USA’s most likely medallist.

Speed – World Tour standings after two rounds
Men: (1) M Safdarian (IRN), 200 points; (2) M Beheshti Rad (IRN); 145 pts; (3) F Gantner (LIE) 120 pts
Women: (1) S Nyamdoo (MON), 155 points; (2) O Kosek (POL), 151 pts; (3) A Loužecká (CZE) 145 pts

Fixe has joined the UIAA as Official Technical Partner. The technical staff and teams at each 2026 World Cup event are using Fixe ropes, carabiners, anchors, harnesses, and helmets, with the brand covering all organisational needs in these product categories.

Further Details
Event page
Event programme
Photos
Registered athletes

How to follow the World Cups
For each World Cup event, a preview and review press release will be made available. Subscribe here to UIAA ice climbing press releases.

Livestreaming will be made available on the UIAA YouTube channel for all semi-finals and finals and certain qualification rounds.

On the UIAA Facebook and Instagram channels, shortform content including video clips and behind the scenes highlights will be posted as well as updates about livestreaming timings as well as podium winner posts and ‘climbs of the weekend’ clips.

Live results are available from the UIAA Results service.

The UIAA Ice Climbing website provides full information about each event including programmes and provisional timings.

Photos from competitions will available on the UIAA Flickr Channel. A ‘best of’ gallery for media wishing to preview the 2025-2026 season is available here.

Photo Credit: Louna Ladevant in action in Longmont (2025). UIAA/Ian Warren

Some 70 athletes from the following countries – Canada, Czechia, France, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland and the USA will compete. Naturally, a strong contingent from the host federation, British Mountaineering Council (BMC), will contest the difficulty (lead) only competition.

This is the penultimate round of the Continental Series which has already seen competitions staged in Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, the Netherlands and Liechtenstein and will close with an event in Oulu, Finland on 7 March.

With an open field, Sunderland presents a fantastic opportunity for a number of new athletes to medal. Of the athletes currently in the top three of the Continental Tour rankings, Lea Beck (LIE) in the women’s event as well as men’s leader Jorge Veiga Rodriguez (ESP) and Andreas Gantner (LIE) are currently registered to compete. Adding lustre to the list are Ilona Serrer (FRA), currently fifth in the female rankings, as well as the siblings of Lea Beck and Andreas Gantner, Lorena Beck and Florian Gantner. Amongst the strong BMC squad, Mia Coia and Tabitha O’Carroll are fresh from claiming medals at the UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships.

Livestreaming will be available throughout the day on Sunday from the semi-finals (11:00 local time) and finals (17:15) of the senior event as well as from the youth competition (13:30). This latter is for U16 and U18 age categories.

Current Continental Season Rankings (after five rounds)
Women: (1) M Van der Steen (NED), 317 points; (2) A Louzecka (CZE), 288 pts; (3) L Beck (LIE) 240 pts
Men: (1) J V Rodriguez (ESP), 259 points; (2) JA Brown (SUI) 245 pts; (3) A Gantner (LIE) 231 pts

The event is organised by the Scottish Dry-Tooling Club and the BMC.

Further Resources

Live Results
List of registered athletes
Event programme

Photo: Last weekend’s UIAA Ice Climbing Continental Cup in Malbun.
Credit: UIAA / Daniel Mangeng

Gold medals in the Malbun sun went to athletes from seven different countries, the USA (2), Switzerland (4), Spain (2), Great Britain (1), Czechia (1), Mongolia (1) and hosts Liechtenstein (1). The event, held in the idyllic winter conditions, was supported by UIAA member association Liechtensteiner Alpenverein. Malbun has hosted UIAA events in the past – notably a European Cup in 2022.

Star turns included athletes who medalled in both disciplines such as Conner Bailey and Mathias Olsen of the United States, Ana Veiga Rodriguez and Maite Vila Lopez of Spain and Mia Coia of Great Britain. Over 70 athletes from 11 countries competed in the event which provides athletes competing in U16, U18 and U20 age categories to experience a world-class competition environment and infrastructure.

Results & Livestream Replays

U16, men, lead: (1) C Bailey (USA), (2) M Olsen (USA), (3) A Huta (CZE)
U16, women, lead: (1) A Veiga Rodriguez (ESP), (2) R Vesela (CZE), (3) R Van der Lee (NED)

U18, men, lead: (1) B Ziegler (SUI), (2) K Blasi (SUI), (3) D Romero Lazaro (ESP)
U18, women, lead: (1) J Zollinger (SUI), (2) M Coia (GBR), (3) T O’Carroll (GBR)

U20, men, lead: (1) L Perez Nieto (ESP), (2) Y Real White (ESP), (3) M Lienerth (CZE)
U20, women, lead: (1) L Eusepi (SUI), (2) J Tjon (NED), (3) M Vila Lopez (ESP)

U16, men, speed: (1) M Olsen (USA), (2) C Bailey (USA), (3) J Dziubczynski (USA)
U16, women, speed: (1) U Flury (LIE), (2) A Veiga Rodriguez (ESP), (3) EE Batchuluun (MGL)

U18, men, speed: (1) NM Dolf (SUI), (2) G Escudero Calvo (ESP), (3) D Unnasch (USA)
U18, women, speed: (1) M Coia (GBR), (2) C Calvin del Fresno (ESP), (3) M Purevsuren (MGL)

U20, men, speed: (1) V Novozamsky (CZE), (2) LE Dolf (SUI), (3) L Perez Nieto (ESP)
U20, women, speed: (1) A Janbota (MLG), (2) AD Stastna (CZE), (3) M Vila Lopez (ESP)

Team Rankings:
Lead: (1) Spain, (2) Switzerland, (3) USA
Speed: (1) Spain, (2) USA, (3) Czechia

Photos from the event can be found here.

Continental Cup

Spanish success continued into the Continental Cup which took place after the World Youth Championships. Having claimed his first World Cup level medal in Saas-Fee last week, Jorge Veiga Rodriguez won gold topping the route in 4 minutes, 55 seconds, a mere four seconds ahead of second place Jonathan Brown, Switzerland. Bronze went to fellow Swiss athlete Paul Zurbrugg. Rodriguez and Brown are now one and two in the overall season standings.

Swiss athlete Celina Bosshard won a tight women’s event with Marianne van der Steen of the Netherlands coming in second and Ladina Heller, Switzerland, in third. Silver allowed van der Steen to extend her lead in the season rankings.

The event in Malbun was the fifth of seventh competitions which form the UIAA Ice Climbing Continental Cup series. Sunderland, England is the destination for the penultimate round which takes place on 6-8 February.

Current Continental Season Rankings (after five rounds)

Women: (1) M Van der Steen (NED), 317 points; (2) A Louzecka (CZE), 288 pts; (3) L Beck (LIE) 240 pts
Men: (1) J V Rodriguez (ESP), 259 points; (2) JA Brown (SUI) 245 pts; (3) A Gantner (LIE) 231 pts

Photos from the event can be found here.

Further Resources

Event Programme
Event Pages – Continental Cup – World Youth Championships
Registrations
Live Results

Photo credit: UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships in Malbun. UIAA/Mangeng Photography

UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships
On Friday 30 January and Saturday 31 January, the World Youth Championships will be held with categories for U16, U18 and U20 climbers competing in both lead (difficulty) and in speed.

The Championships are set to welcome over 70 athletes from Czechia, Great Britain, Germany, Iran, Japan, hosts Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

The full programme can be found here. Click here for a list of registered athletes.

The World Youth Championships has long provided a platform for young athletes to test themselves against international climbers on world-class structures and supported by a full UIAA World Cup level support from scoring to routesetting to judging. In last year’s event in Ouray, USA, six nations claimed gold medals.

Livestreaming will come from the speed finals – Friday 30 January at 19:30 local time and from the lead finals – Saturday 31 January at 11:00 local time.

A number of athletes who medalled at youth competitions have since gone on to forge impressive careers on the senior World Tour, notably the likes of Catalina Shirley, Louna Ladevant, Sina Goetz, Lea Beck, Yannick Glatthard, Aneta Louzecka and Vivien Labarile. Last year standout performances came from a number of emerging athletes notably from Team Spain who claimed three of the gold medals.

Continental Cup

The Continental Cup, to take place on Sunday 1 February, is set to welcome over 70 athletes from Canada, Czechia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, hosts Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the large contingent from the United States. A full list of registered athletes can be found here. Livestream will be available from the lead final, 17:00-19:00 local time.

Of the athletes currently in the Continental Tour podium positions, the Czechia duo of Aneta Louzecka and Oliver Hamerský, the Netherlands’ Marianne van der Steen and local athlete Andreas Ganter are set to compete.

Current Continental Season Rankings (after four rounds)

Women: (1) M Van der Steen (NED), 237 points, (2) A Louzecka (CZE), 237 pts, (3) M Salmon-Thomas (FRA), 221.5 pts
Men: (1) O Hamerský (CZE), 206 pts, (2) A Gantner (LIE), 176 pts, (3) V Devin (FRA), 166.5 pts

Further Resources

Event Programme
Event Pages – Continental Cup – World Youth Championships
Registrations
Live Results

Photo credit: UIAA European Cup in Malbun, 2022. UIAA/Remo Gstöhl

As part of this effort, the Anti-Doping Commission of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) held an educational lecture ahead of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Saas-Fee, Switzerland which took place on 23-24 January. The session was attended by all competing ice climbers.

During the lecture, Prof. Dr Nenad Dikić explained what will change from 2027, including updated rules, possible sanctions, clearer handling of supplements from a “contaminated source,” and increased awareness of the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process.

The UIAA continues to invest strongly in anti-doping education and testing. With more than 17 years of continuous activity in this field, the federation remains committed to protecting clean sport and supporting athletes through clear rules and informed decision-making.

For further information click here.

Photo credit: Marija Andjelkovic

Lead (Difficulty): Woonseon Shin back to her best
The difficulty finals in Saas-Fee are one of the highlights of the entire World Tour. A pulsating atmosphere, a knowledgeable and passionate crowd, and routes which draw out the very best from these elite climbers.

In the women’s competition, eight athletes from seven countries were given six minutes to tackle a complex, technical route. Demanding a balance of speed, poise and strength, it was perhaps perfectly suited for South Korea’s Woonseon Shin, a legend of the sport. Despite having only qualified in seventh place, Shin – who had only competed in the speed event at her home World Cup in Cheongsong, raised her game in the final. Her trademark balance and control, and an uncanny ability to never look rushed, came to the fore. In the end time was her foe as with the top in sight the clock ran down. However, the 45-year old had set a benchmark that the following climbers could not beat. It maintains an impressive run of performances for the South Korean who finished third and first in her last two visits to the Swiss venue. Consistently impressive throughout recent seasons, the Netherlands’ Marianne van der Steen, with great purpose, powered her way into second and Marion Salmon-Thomas, enjoying an brilliant season, won bronze and retains her lead in the overall season standings. Salmon-Thomas had won in Cheongsong.

The men, negotiating a slightly longer route, were given seven minutes to climb in the final. Athletes from six countries made the final eight. The clear favourite was Louna Ladevant, a serial winner in Saas-Fee and gold medallist in the season opener in South Korea. Before the event he remarked: “The Cheongsong win is already a big step in terms of the overall ranking. Another win here would be great – Saas-Fee is a venue where I have won a lot and the atmosphere is always amazing.” Ladevant put down a marker with a dominant performance in the semi-final meaning he earned the right to be the last climber to go in the final, always the most prestigious slot in the Saas-Fee programme. He duly delivered a terrific performance to dominate the field. Like Shin he finished close to the top before being timed out and then delighting the crowd by doing the traditional Saas-Fee jump. Ladevant’s performance relegated virtual leader Jorge Veiga Rodriguez into second place. However the 20-year old Spanish climber was delighted to claim a first World Cup medal. The ultra consistent Younggeon Lee of South Korea won bronze to keep the pressure on Ladevant in the overall standings.

In terms of the European Championships, the difficulty discipline was decided by the semi-finals scores. Louna Ladevant claimed the gold followed by teammate Virgile Devin and Lichtenstein’s Linus Beck.  Franziska Schönbächler won the women’s title, Switzerland’s best result of the weekend, and ahead of Marion Salmon-Thomas and Lea Beck.

Difficulty – World Tour standings after two rounds
Men: (1) L Ladevant (FRA), 200 points; (2) Y Lee (KOR), 130 pts; (3) M Kim (KOR), 127 pts
Women: (1) M Salmon-Thomas (FRA), 165 points; (2) M Van der Steen (NED), 102 pts; (3) C Bosshard (SUI), 102 pts

Speed: Safdarian extends lead
As detailed in the preview press release, Iran’s Mohammadreza Safdarian is at home in Saas-Fee. His past three visits had yielded a gold, silver and a bronze. After winning the opening round of the season in Cheongsong two weeks ago, he repeated the feat. Instead of the regular duel (climber v climber) format, Saas-Fee opts for the solo format, climber versus the clock. In the final rounds this means each athlete has three attempts. Whoever records the fastest time, wins. With a blistering ascent of 8.60 seconds, Safdarian took the gold. For compatriot Mohsen Behesthi Rad it was a case of peaking too early. He actually recorded the fastest time of the competition, 8.55. However it came in qualification. In the final his time of 9.06 was enough for the silver medal, which bettered the bronze he claimed in South Korea. Florian Gantner of Liechtenstein, in a time of 9.14, also improved his Cheongsong performance by one position to claim bronze, his first ever World Cup medal. He also claimed the title of European champion as the Saas-Fee programme also counts as the European Championships. Joining him on the European podium were Nils Martin Dolf of Switzerland and Gantner’s compatriot Linus Beck.

Having not made the podium in Cheonsgong, Selenge Nyamdoo (Mongolia) – winner of the 2025 World Tour title – returned to form in Saas-Fee. Her ascent in 11.29 seconds pulverised the competition. In the women’s event the bar was raised for the final with times significantly faster than the qualification round. Nyamdoo’s time seemed to inspire others. Lorena Beck of Liechtenstein, who won the Saas-Fee World Cup in 2024, posted a time of 13.13 to finish second while reigning world champion and 2024 World Tour winner Aneta Loužecká, Czechia, ensured she was the only female speed athlete to podium at both World Cups to date. Her time of 13.29 ensured third place. Lorena Beck’s older sister Lea came fourth and Olga Kosek, Poland, who won the Cheongsong World Cup finished in fifth. Lorena Beck was also crowned European champion ahead of Loužecká and Lea Beck.

Speed – World Tour standings after two rounds
Men: (1) M Safdarian (IRN), 200 points; (2) M Beheshti Rad (IRN); 145 pts; (3) F Gantner (LIE) 120 pts
Women: (1) S Nyamdoo (MON), 155 points; (2) O Kosek (POL), 151 pts; (3) A Loužecká (CZE) 145 pts

Fixe in Saas-Fee
Fixe, Technical Partner of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour, ran a number of exciting initiatives during the weekend. This included a speed competition for those onsite with details provided in the post below.

The technical staff and teams at each World Cup event are using Fixe ropes, carabiners, anchors, harnesses, and helmets, with the brand covering all organisational needs in these product categories. Additionally, the world’s top ice climbers will use Fixe ropes, carabiners, and quickdraws throughout the circuit.

 

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In addition to Fixe, a number of delegates attended the event including representatives from UIAA member federations FFCAM (France) and the SAC (Switzerland), UIAA CEO Andre von Rotz and a significant contingent from the UIAA Office and the entire World Ice Climbing Board. The event also proved a perfect showcase for visiting dignitaries working on the French Alps 2030 Olympic Winter Games organisation.

The next round of the World Cup, the third of four, takes place in Longmont, Colorado (USA) from 20-22 February. Next weekend the focus switches to the World Youth Championships and Continental Cup in Malbun, Liechtenstein.

Further Details
Event page
Event programme
Photos
Results

How to follow the World Cups
For each World Cup event, a preview and review press release will be made available. Subscribe here to UIAA ice climbing press releases.

Livestreaming will be made available on the UIAA YouTube channel for all semi-finals and finals and certain qualification rounds.

On the UIAA Facebook and Instagram channels, shortform content including video clips and behind the scenes highlights will be posted as well as updates about livestreaming timings as well as podium winner posts and ‘climbs of the weekend’ clips.

Live results are available from the UIAA Results service.

The UIAA Ice Climbing website provides full information about each event including programmes and provisional timings.

Photos from competitions will available on the UIAA Flickr Channel. A ‘best of’ gallery for media wishing to preview the 2025-2026 season is available here.

Photo Credit: UIAA/Kaspar Kellerhals