Following two pulsating rounds in Asia, the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup lands in Europe this weekend with Saas-Fee one of the historic venues in the sport acting as host. Celebrations will be significant at the Swiss resort as it marks twenty years of its association with competition ice climbing. Hosted in a unique indoor arena on the entrance to the village, Saas-Fee always guarantees a party, convivial atmosphere comprising the large numbers of spectators who provide a partisan atmosphere at the evening sessions. This is the third round of the World Cup season, an integral part of the UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour partnered by Outdoor Research.
For the athletes, Saas-Fee is above all synonymous with tough competition. Its speed wall can be complex and capricious, the venue’s lead routes offer tantalising opportunities for routesetters. The third World Cup of the season will also test the resolve and stamina of the athletes, especially those travelling from the Asian competitions.
Leading the World Cup season are Maria Tolokonina and Nikolai Kuzovlev in lead. The Russian athletes have claimed back-to-back successes. In speed, four different athletes have claimed gold medals with Vladislav Iurlov and Ekaterina Koshcheeva currently leading the standings.
Highlights from the 2018 UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup, Saas-Fee
Saas-Fee will witness a significant increase in participation from European-based athletes who will all be boosted by the exploits of French, Finnish and Irish athletes who finished on the podium last weekend. Host nation Switzerland will bring a team of 14 athletes with two popular climbers making their return to UIAA ice climbing competition – the 2016 IFSC Boulder World Champion Petra Klingler and Yannick Glatthard, renowned for his effervescent style.
South Korea favourites HeeYong Park, Hannarai Song and Woonseon Shin have enjoyed success in Saas-Fee before and will look to put a disappointing World Cup in Beijing last weekend behind them.
The full programme can be downloaded here.
How to follow the event
Livestreaming from Saas-Fee will be available from the lead semi-finals and speed and lead finals. YouTube embed codes can be copied from below. Coverage will also be available on the UIAA Facebook channel as well as on partner channels EXTREME, Red Bull TV and The Olympic Channel.
Friday – Speed Finals (19:30 local time)
URL: https://youtu.be/SsY0h-fYsB4
Embed codes: <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/SsY0h-fYsB4” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Saturday – Lead Semi-Finals (women) (08:45 local time)
URL: https://youtu.be/fosrUr_HTLQ
Embed codes: <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/fosrUr_HTLQ” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Saturday – Lead Semi-Finals (men) (13:00 local time)
URL: https://youtu.be/fosrUr_HTLQ
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/4TtHEbnSB6o” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Saturday – Lead Finals (19:00 local time)
URL: https://youtu.be/ldh2MWGWD6Q
Embed codes: <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/ldh2MWGWD6Q” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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