Angelika Rainer and Maxim Tomilov win big as UIAA World Cup ends in Saas Fee, Switzerland

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News Release

22 January 2012

Saas Fee, Switzerland  - The 2012 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Saas Fee, Switzerland concluded Saturday with a second World Cup victory for Angelika Rainer of Italy this year in the Lead discipline and a dramatic display of skill and strength by Russia's Maxim Tomilov in Men's Lead.

Rainer’s victory comes about a week after her win in Cheongsong, South Korea and is significant because the Italian athlete almost quit competitive climbing last year following an elbow injury and other disappointments.

Angelika Rainer (Italy) in Saas Fee

Tomilov, ranked 2nd overall in last year’s World Cup, was the winner in Men's Lead after he put on a stunning performance to cheers from the crowd. Tomilov was the only climber to successfully reach the last panel on the climbing wall. The same event saw disappointing falls by leading contenders such as Park Hee Yong of South Korea (ranked 1st overall in 2011) and Markus Bendler of Austria (ranked 3rd overall in 2011.)

Maxim Tomilov (Russia) in Saas Fee

Russian climbers continued to dominate the Speed discipline with Maria Krasavina leading the pack in the Women’s division and Alexey Tomilov placing first in the Men’s division. Slovenian climber Matevz Vukotic was the only non-Russian climber on the podium in Men’s Speed. He came third.

The final results are: 

For up to date standings and results of the 2012 competition please visit the UIAA website here and the new UIAA Facebook page.

The competition moves next to Champagny-en-Vanoise in France where the World Cup is being held for the first time. From there it moves to Busteni, Romania and Kirov, Russia.

The UIAA was founded in 1932 and has 80 member associations in 50 countries representing about 1.3 million people. The organization’s mission is to promote the growth and protection of mountaineering and climbing worldwide, advance safe and ethical mountain practices and promote responsible access, culture and environmental protection. The UIAA operates through the work of its commissions, which make recommendations, set policy and advocate on behalf of the mountaineering community.

For more information please contact office@theuiaa.org