At the sixth Boulder World Cup of the season, it was not for once the Japanese Akiyo Noguchi, who was on top of the winner's podium. The American Alex Puccio celebrated the second World Cup win of her career in front of her home crowd. For Germany, Austria and Switzerland the weekend was not as successful as hoped.
The sixth bouldering competition took place in Vail, Colorado. At 2245 meters above sea level, the world's elite competed in bouldering. As so often this season, Japan dominated the World Cup weekend. Six athletes qualified for the final. The final victory for the women, however, finally brought Alex Puccio, who fought in the final problem of the finals by a succession of strong forceps attacks and held the final dynamo with one hand. For Alex Puccio it was the second World Cup victory ever.
In the men also an American mingled with front. It was Sean Bailey who gave everything to his home crowd and was a valid contender for the gold medal. However, the Japanese Rei Sugimoto topped a final boulder more than Sean, pushing him to second place.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland go empty-handed
With places 35, 41, 43 and 75, all four Swiss athletes missed the semi-finals. Germany was more successful with Jan Hojer (10 final rank), Alma Bestvater (6 final rank), Hannah Meul (10 finishing rank) and Lilli Kiesgen (12 finishing rank). The Austrian athletes took the places 20 (Elias Weiler), 11 (Franziska Sterrer), 18 (Berit Schwaiger).
Video with the highlights of the Boulder World Cup in Vail
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Credits: Picture Eddie Fowke - IFSC