A few days ago, the exceptional German athlete Yannick Flohé succeeded in repeating the route »Corona« (9a+) in the Franconian Jura – the first route in Germany at this level of difficulty.
A good climbing year for Yannik Flohé
It runs at Yannick Flohe! In July, the top German climber was able to complete the boulder Foundation's Edge (8C) in flash, thus pushing the bar higher for the hardest flash ascent of a boulder. Just a few weeks later, he caused a sensation again by Rattaman Vibrations (9b/+) from Chris Sharma was the first to repeat it. So it's not surprising that we now have reason to write about him again.
The first 9a+ in the Franconian Jura
The route was opened in 2006 by Markus Bock and has since been one of the toughest classics in the region. The 9a+ test piece in the upper Ailsbachtal is 18 meters long and a true milestone in the development of the Franconian Jura, after all Corona the first sport climbing route of its grade in all of Germany.
Adam Ondra secured the first repeat in 2009 after eight attempts, followed by Alex Megos 2013, who completed the route in three days. Other well-known repeat climbers such as Felix Neumärker, Dai Koyamada, and Moritz Welt confirmed the difficulty grade of 9a+. Ondra, however, described the route as "soft," meaning rather easy for its grade. Flohé himself rated "Corona" at the slash grade of 9a/+.
What's next?
The Rock Master will take place in Arco from October 17th to 19th, and Flohé has a title to defend. In 2024, he won the bouldering competition and secured third place in the lead duel, thus taking home the trophy. So we can certainly look forward to some exciting duels!
You might be interested in:
- Yannick Flohé boulders 8C+ Story of Three Worlds
- Moritz Welt repeats Frankenjura classic Corona (9a +)
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Credits: Cover photo: Yannik Flohé