Italian professional climber Laura Rogora has climbed three routes in French grade 9 over the past month, including Goldrake (XNUMXa+) in Cornalba. She has also climbed several upper grade XNUMX routes, both flash and onsight.
Like several other athletes from the international competition circuit, Laura Rogora used her top form to score difficult routes on the rock. Since her double success at the European Championships, the Italian has regularly attracted attention with difficult ascents.
First female ascent of Goldrake (9a+)
She started at the end of September with Goldrake, the 9a+ test piece by Adam Ondra in Cornalba. Laura Rogora says she has wanted to try this route for years. But for various reasons she never got around to it.
This changed during a short trip between the World Cups in Prague and Seoul. And she took her chance. "I was able to climb the route with a break on the second attempt. The next day I managed it on my first attempt."
As if the first female ascent of Goldrake wasn't enough, she onsighted Jedi (8b) and repeated Gold Jedi (8c) on the same day.
Hard flash and onsight climbs in Verdon
Less than two weeks later, Laura Rogora recovered from the competition season on long tufa lines in the Verdon Gorge, making flash ascents of Aggresif you want (8c) and La feu occulte (8b+) and a fast ascent of Le Flute e chantier (8c+, 4th grade).
Laura Rogora ended her stay in Verdon with the onsight ascent of Spanish Caravan (8c) and a repeat of Aggressive dans le culte (8c). "I really enjoyed these long routes," said the Italian, "but now my calves and knees definitely need some time to rest."
Flipping Bird (9a) and Prima Classe (9a)
But she didn't allow herself a really long break. Just one week later she was able to announce the next difficult ascent, this time in her home region, more precisely in the Grottosauro sector in Arco. There Laura Rogora secured the second ascent of Flipping Bird (9a) in her fourth attempt.
A few days ago she was able to repeat the 9a route Prima Classe in La Stazione. "Hard routes, tiny ledges and a motivated crew made these days a great experience," Rogora sums up her latest climbing trip.
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Credits: Cover picture Carlo Giuliberti