Alizée Dufraisse boulders 8b | Federica Mingolla 8c/+ on the rope

Two women have been successful on the blocks and on the rope in the past few days. Alizée Dufraisse climbs Versace in Brione and Federica Mingolla climbs Mind Control and Fish Eye in Oliana.

You could call January the “Female Power” month. Reports about difficult ascents reached us at short intervals, the most recent two successes were recorded by the Frenchman Alizée Dufraisse and the Italian Federica Mingolla.

The first 8c is immediately followed by an 8c/+

Federica Mingolla has been on a climbing trip with her camper since the beginning of January, heralding the phase after her injury. Shortly after her arrival in Spain she manages an 8a flash, an 8b in only the third attempt. In mid-January, she scored the first 8c route of her career with the Fish Eye route - and doubled it with Mind Control (8c/+).

Federica Mingolla enjoys the perfect climbing conditions in Spain.
Federica Mingolla enjoys the perfect climbing conditions in Spain.

Alizée Dufraisse: Persistence pays off

Dufraisse published countless short videos of her attempts in the 8b Boulder Versace on her Instagram channel and let her followers participate in the process. One often had the impression that the ascent had been successful, she climbed out of the overhang and stood in the flatter area - until the unexpected fall came. But the French didn't give up, tried again and again and was rewarded with success on January 20, 2022.

“It feels incredible to have climbed this fantastic boulder. And it's cool that I was the first woman to get through. I hope this inspires more women to try this awesome boulder.”

Alizée Dufraisse

Alizée Dufraisse inspecting Versace (8b)

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Credits: Cover picture williclimb

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