Saas-Fee, Switzerland hosted the second round of the 2026 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour from 23-24 January. As it has done emphatically for over two decades, the venue in the Swiss Alps offered an enthralling competition in front of large crowds. Supported by the Swiss Alpine Club, the local organising team once again delivered an event of outstanding quality, a gold standard both on and off the wall. Offering an abundance of grace, precision and raw power, the 134 athletes from 19 countries duly played their part. In terms of the titles, a number of favourites exerted their superiority while others returned to form in style. As well as the World Cup, the European Championships were part of the weekend’s programme.
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 knowledgable 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
