Ai Mori and Colin Duffy win Lead World Cup in Chamonix

In a thrilling final, Japanese Ai Mori prevailed ahead of Jessica Pilz and Mei Kotake. In the men's competition, American Colin Duffy climbed to the top of the podium. Second and third places went to Sam Avezou and Toby Roberts.

In front of 15000 spectators, the finals of the IFSC Lead World Cup took place yesterday evening in Chamonix The women’s event is expected to Ai Mori a déjà vu of Innsbruck. Although she had reached the top there, Janja Garnbret relegated her to second place due to her better result in the semi-final. At the World Cup in Chamonix, the Japanese was in the position Jessica Pilz to be able to snatch the gold medal from her despite a top.

I thought maybe Jessica Pilz had a top, so I was very nervous. But I looked out and saw the big crowd, and that big crowd pushed my performance.

Ai Mori
Jessica Pilz, Ai Mori and Mei Kotake climb onto the podium at the IFSC Lead World Cup in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC
Jessica Pilz, Ai Mori and Mei Kotake climb onto the podium at the IFSC Lead World Cup in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC

Jessica Pilz was very happy with her second place, but criticized the difficulty of the final route: "It's a bit annoying that we couldn't have a really good fight in the final. I feel like the route was a bit easy. I like having a good fight. I would rather not get to the top and have a good fight instead."

Ai Mori's teammate Mei Kotake also reached the finish line. However, the Japanese rider could not hold on to it and therefore ended up in third place with her 44+. The French rider Zélia Avezou also narrowly missed the podium with 44+.

Ranking Lead Final Chamonix Women

  • Ai Mori
  • Jessica Pilz
  • Mei Kotake
  • Zelia Avezou
  • Flora Oblasser
  • Mattea Potzi
  • Anastasia Sanders
  • Mia Krampl
Colin Duffy wins the Lead World Cup in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC
Colin Duffy wins the Lead World Cup in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC

No top in the men's final

Colin Duffy In the men's final, a 42+ was enough to win. The Frenchman got almost as far as Sam Avezou with 41+. Toby Roberts, who was considered a potential winner after his performance in the semi-finals, had to settle for third place with a 38+.

It's a great feeling to win my second gold at the Lead World Cup.

Colin Duffy

Spanish Olympic champion Alberto Ginés López finished the final in Chamonix in fourth place. With the same score of 38+, Shion Omata finished in fourth place based on the semifinal result. Adam Ondra finished the competition in sixth place.

The Swiss Sascha Lehmann finished the lead final in Chamonix in seventh place. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC
The Swiss Sascha Lehmann finished the lead final in Chamonix in seventh place. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC

Ranking Lead Final Chamonix Men

  1. Colin Duffy
  2. Sam Avezou
  3. Toby Roberts
  4. Alberto Gines Lopez
  5. Shion Omata
  6. Adam Ondra
  7. Sascha Lehmann
  8. Guillermo Peinado Franganillo
Zam Avezou, Colin Duffy and Toby Roberts are celebrated by the 15000 spectators in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC
Zam Avezou, Colin Duffy and Toby Roberts are celebrated by the 15000 spectators in Chamonix. Photo: Jan Virt / IFSC

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Credits: Cover picture Jan Virt / IFSC

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