Two climbers, one autumn goal, two successes: The two Swiss climbers Dimitri Flick and Jonas Utelli score the legendary strength endurance testpiece La Danse de Résistance (9a+) in Soyhières.
After an intensive competition season full of highlights with Olympic qualification series, World Cups, European Championships and European Cups, Jonas Utelli and Dimitri Flick more than motivated to finally be back out on the rocks.
As a common goal for the autumn they both chose the legendary route La Danse de Resistance (9a+) in Soyhières. This 40-move strength endurance test piece promised not only a physical challenge, but also a lot of fun while working on the project together.
Could this be the best line in Switzerland? What an incredible climb!
Dimitri Flick
Jonas Utelli with quick success
Jonas Utelli managed to complete the climb in the second session. "I'm so proud to have climbed one of the best lines in Switzerland! A strength and endurance masterpiece with 40 moves - what more could you want?"
But he did not bask in his success for long. Shortly after the ascent, he devoted himself to his second project, Finite Infinity 9a in Lehn. Another challenging route that Dimitri Flick had already achieved in 2022.
For Dimi, La Danse de Résistance was still a little way off. The process of completing it was anything but easy, he recalls: "The first day I tried it, I wanted to give up because I couldn't even move. Later, it felt achievable, and eventually I felt like I should have already scored the route. In the end, it became a mental battle with the last few moves."
Almost three weeks after Jonas, he was also able to successfully climb the route, thus securing the fourth known ascent of this perfect line.
This route demanded everything from me.
Dimitri Flick
Shared passion connects
The time spent together on the rock was something very special for both of them. "Motivating each other and working on the key points was not only fun, but also inspired us both to achieve top performances," they say in unison.
After his quick success in La Danse de Résistance, Jonas worked on his second autumn project, Finite Infinity 9a, which he also eventually successfully climbed.
Rocktober ended for both of us with great success and a well-deserved offseason.
Jonas Utelli
The conclusion of their autumn climbing is correspondingly positive: "This autumn project has shown us once again how enriching it is to pursue goals together. Whether in competition, in training or on the rock - the passion for climbing unites us and motivates us to go beyond ourselves."
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Credits: Cover photo Lena Drapella & Dimitris Tosidis / IFSC