Five weeks after the successful Olympic qualification at the World Climbing Championships in Japan, the best climbers in the lead discipline competed against each other last weekend in Kranj, Slowenia. For the women, the Korean Chaehyun Seo was on top of the podium. In the men's race Adam Ondra won. Switzerland and Germany were not represented in the final. Austria took the places 2 (Jessica Pilz) and 7 (Jakob Schubert).
After Jessica mushroom qualifying for the Olympic Games earlier this year Jessica Pilz used the competition in Kranj Kranj as the final preperation for the upcoming Lead European Championship (4.- 6. October) in Edinburgh, Scotland. Jakob Schubert on the other hand, after an excellent performance in qualification round (6 rank) and the semi-finals (2 rank), he was somehow unrewarded in the final. A mistake at the beginning of the final route cost Jakob the opportunity to fight for victory with his Czech rival Adam Ondra. With a height of 12 + Jakob only got seventh.
Only top in the men's final for Adam Ondra
An outstanding performance showed the Czech Adam Ondrawho was the only one to reach the top after a successful qualifying and semifinals round in the final and thus secured the gold medal. In the final closely on his heels was the Japanese Kai Harada, At the final of the ladies was Jessica mushroom in the meantime in the lead. Only the two-time winner of the season Chaehyun Seo from Korea could exceed their height by one move.
Placement at the World Cup in Kranj 2019
Video: Highlights of the World Cup in Kranj
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Credits: Artwork Eddie Fowke / IFSC, Text sections Austria Climbing