The official registration deadline for the Boulder World Cup in Bressanone from 9 to 11 June has passed. Around 200 climbers from no less than 45 different countries will be in action in the cathedral city in one and a half weeks – including Olympic champion Alberto Ginés López from Spain and multiple world champion Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic.
Alexandra Ladurner has reason to be happy. The sporting director of the Boulder World Cup in Bressanone, which is organised by the Alpine Club, can look forward to a starter list that reads like a “Who’s Who” of the international climbing scene. “Almost 200 athletes from 45 different countries will arrive in the cathedral city in just over a week’s time. We have achieved higher numbers than at last year’s first edition. In the men’s competition all six finalists from last year will be with us again at the Vertikale. We are of course very pleased with such a strong response,” Ladurner said.
Last year’s winner Yannick Flohé from Germany, runner-up Maximilian Milne from Great Britain or Tomoa Narasaki from Japan – third last year – are all well-known names in the climbing scene. They are joined by Korean climber Dohyun Lee, and Japanese athletes Yoshiyuki Ogata and Meichi Narasaki, who were ranked fourth to sixth last year. “In addition, the Olympic champion will also be at the start, namely Alberto Ginés López from Spain. Jakob Schubert from Austria will take part, and then there is the living and still active climbing legend Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic who has also registered. He’s taking part in his home World Cup this weekend in Prague and can then also be admired in Bressanone,” Ladurner added.
Grossman, Bertone, Meul or another top climber?
Last year’s women’s podium winners are also back in full force. Winner Natalia Grossman, who was also crowned overall World Cup winner at the end of the season and who was already successful in Salt Lake City this year, will be challenged by Hannah Meul from Germany and Zhilu Luo from China. With US-American Brooke Raboutou, another stage winner of the Boulder World Cup 2023 is at the start, as with Oriane Bertone from France, who has already achieved two podium places this year. “All Austrian fans can look forward to the participation of World and European Champion Jessica Pilz, among others,” Ladurner commented.
The Italian federation FASI is sending no fewer than 13 climbers to the home World Cup in the Vertikale, including the two South Tyroleans Michael Piccolruaz and Filip Schenk. Also competing will be Gabriele Moroni, who will be making a comeback to the international competition stage. “Gabriele was one of the coaches in the team at the beginning of the season. He now wants to go on the attack once more. Among the women, the names of Giorgia Tesio, Camilla Moroni and Laura Rogora stand out,” Ladurner concluded.
The Boulder World Cup in Bressanone starts with a cultural supporting programme: on Friday 2 June Austrian singer Hubert von Goisern will be on stage at the Vertikale Climbing Stadium, on Thursday 8 June the world’s best climbing films will be shown at the Italian premiere of “REEL ROCK 17”; also live on site will be the well-known climber Jacopo Larcher, who will talk about his climbing experiences. On Friday, 9 June, the World Cup programme starts at 9 am with the women’s qualification (free entry). The men will be in action from 4 pm. On Saturday, 10 June, it’s all about the climbers in the Vertikale, with the semi-finals at 11 am and the final from 8 pm. On Sunday, the men’s World Cup winner will be determined – also beginning with the semi-finals starting at 11 am and the final at 8 pm.
