On March 29, 2026, 17-year-old Italian Gianluca Vighetti climbed the route Bombardino (9a+) in the Bus de la Stria climbing area near Arco in just one day and on his second attempt. Vighetti proposes a downgrade.
What was planned as a relaxed training day ends with an impressive ascent: Gianluca Vighetti climbs Bombardino (9a+) on his second attempt – and that after already climbing five hard routes on the same day.
A spontaneous detour with a great outcome
Vighetti had originally traveled to Arco to see his friend Giovanni Giachino, who was participating in the national team trials. His real goal: to practice routes at the Rock Master Stadium. When the trials ended earlier than expected, Vighetti, his father, and Giachino decided to use the remaining time to visit Bus de la Stria. "This ascent literally came out of nowhere," Vighetti explains. "I just wanted to get a feel for it, see if I even had a chance – and hopefully come back next season." On his first attempt, he worked out the beta of the difficult bouldering section – he barely knew the rest of the route. Nevertheless, he started a second attempt. With a result that no one had expected so soon.
After one attempt in which I found the beta for the hard boulder (but not really the rest of the route), I tried it again to see where I would fall – and I have no idea how, but I didn't fall.
Gianluca Vighetti
Adam Ondra's "Bombardino"
Bombardino was first climbed by Adam Ondra in February 2022. Ondra initially suggested a difficulty of 9a+/b. Stefano Ghisolfi, on his repeat, found a significantly more efficient beta for the crux boulder and downgraded the route to a soft 9a+. Repeats by Giovanni Placci, Laura Rogora, and Barbara Zangerl confirmed this assessment. Vighetti now goes a step further and proposes a downgrade to 9a: "Honestly, I'd really love to say I can climb a 9a+ in two attempts—that would be crazy. But realistically, the route is 100 percent no more than 9a, and not a particularly difficult one either. The new beta probably makes it considerably easier than before."
Despite the extraordinary achievement, Vighetti also mentions the place itself: "The route was just as cool as I expected – and the area is simply magical."
About Gianluca Vighetti
Gianluca Vighetti hails from the Susa Valley in Piedmont and has been considered one of Europe's greatest climbing talents for years. At just 12 years old, he climbed the route TCT (9a) in Gravere in 2021, becoming the youngest climber to reach this grade. In 2025, he achieved his first 9a+ with Lapsus in Andonno – shortly after winning the European Youth Lead Cup in Toulouse. This was followed in December 2025 by Niobe (9a) in Arco. Now, at 17, he continues his impressive run with Bombardino.
You might be interested in:
- Babsi Zangerl climbs her first 9a+ in Arco | Bombardino
- Video: Here climbs Adam Ondra Bomba (9b) and Bombardino (9a + / 9b)
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Credits: Cover photo: Crimp films