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IFSC Lead World Cup 2025: Koper Delivers Thrilling Finale to the Season
The final IFSC Lead World Cup of the 2025 season kicked off with a bang at the Plus Climbing venue in Koper, Slovenia, as the race for the series titles intensified and climbing stars showcased their skills. With a blend of fresh faces and seasoned competitors, the qualification and semi-final rounds set the stage for an electrifying conclusion to the season.
Qualification Round: Familiar Faces Shine: Despite injury setbacks and a demanding Olympic schedule, Austria’s Jakob Schubert and Slovenia’s Janja Garnbret proved why they remain at the pinnacle of the sport. Both topped their respective qualification routes, securing joint first place in the men’s and women’s competitions.
Schubert, a double Olympic medallist, shared the top spot in the men’s field with Japan’s Yoshida Satone and Anraku Sorato, alongside Great Britain’s Toby Roberts, among the 70 starters. Reflecting on his return, Schubert admitted to feeling “a little rusty” after missing much of the 2025 season due to injuries. “I struggled with some injuries since the Olympics last year,” he said. “I probably trained a little bit too much… but it finally feels way better, and I feel like I can try hard again.”
Garnbret, competing on home soil, shared first place with South Korea’s Seo Chaehyun among the 60 women starters, both achieving two tops. “Qualification was really good. I feel very comfortable in Koper,” Garnbret said, embracing the pressure of the home crowd. “The crowd, my family, my friends are here, and I really enjoyed qualis today. I’m looking forward to semis.”
Other standout performers included Slovenia’s Lucka Rakovec and Italy’s Laura Rogora, who topped one route each to secure joint third, while Great Britain’s Erin McNeice, a key contender for the series title, finished fifth with one top. Slovenia dominated the women’s semi-final qualification, with five climbers—Garnbret, Rakovec, Lucija Tarkus, Rosa Rekar, and Mia Krampl—advancing to the next round.
Semi-Finals: Title Contenders and Home Heroes: The semi-finals saw intense battles as climbers vied for a spot in the final. In the women’s competition, Garnbret and Seo Chaehyun continued their dominance, both reaching hold 48 to remain tied for first. Seo, chasing the series title, stayed focused despite past struggles in Koper’s humid conditions. “I don’t usually climb so well in Koper, but this time I climbed so well and smoothly,” she said. “I try not to think about the series win and just focus on my climbing here.”
Italy’s Laura Rogora held third at hold 47, while Slovenia’s Rosa Rekar made a remarkable leap from 23rd in qualification to fourth with hold 44+. Slovenia’s depth was evident, with Rakovec (sixth, hold 39+) and Tarkus (seventh, hold 39+) joining Garnbret and Rekar in the final, alongside Belgium’s Heloïse Doumont (eighth, hold 39+). Great Britain’s Erin McNeice, Seo’s closest rival for the series title, secured fifth with hold 40+.
In the men’s semi-finals, Japan’s Anraku Sorato led with hold 41+, followed closely by Great Britain’s Toby Roberts (hold 40+). Spain’s Alberto Ginés López, another series title contender, took third with hold 40+. “I performed much better than in qualis where I struggled with the route quite a lot,” Ginés López said. “Tomorrow is one of the most important days of the season. I’m fighting with Satone for the first position.”
Indonesia’s Putra Tri Ramadani earned his first World Cup final berth in fourth (hold 40), while Austria’s Jakob Schubert (fifth, hold 39) and Japan’s Suzuki Neo (sixth, hold 38+) also advanced. Japan showcased their strength with three finalists—Anraku, Yoshida Satone (seventh, hold 38), and Neo—while Czechia’s Adam Ondra rounded out the final in eighth (hold 37).
Rising Stars and Emotional Returns: The Koper event also highlighted emerging talent. Germany’s Ronja Marlene Witt, making her IFSC World Cup debut, expressed her excitement: “When I came to the venue, I was so excited as there were so many crazy people here… I will compete against people I have only ever seen on TV, like Janja Garnbret. It’s so inspiring.”
Switzerland’s Jonas Utelli, reflecting on a season of ups and downs, was content with his semi-final performance. “The second [route] was really controlled climbing. I knew what I had to do to get through,” he said. “I progressed small points more than last season.”
What’s Next? With the finals looming, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 IFSC Lead World Cup season. Slovenia’s women, led by Garnbret, will look to capitalize on home support, while Japan’s men aim to dominate the podium. The series title races remain tight, with Seo and McNeice in the women’s and Anraku, Roberts, and Ginés López in the men’s poised for a fierce battle.
For complete results, visit the IFSC website. Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable final in Koper – watch below.
Finals
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