The Lead semi-final rounds at the IFSC Climbing World Cup Innsbruck 2025 delivered a night of high drama and excitement, as eight men and eight women secured their spots in tomorrow's finals. Slovenia's Janja Garnbret continued her dominant form by placing first in the women’s event, while Japan’s Suzuki Neo led the men’s field with the only top of the show.

GARNBRET IN FRONT, THREE-WAY TIE BEHIND HER

Janja Garnbret of Slovenia once again set the pace, topping the women’s semi-final with a score of 44+ – the highest of the round, despite falling short of a top. After winning Boulder gold just two days ago, she now has a shot at the double gold she already signed at the Kletterzentrum in 2023 and 2024.

Three athletes tied in second place with 42+: Erin McNeice of Great Britain – winner of the two previous Lead World Cups in Wujiang, China, and Bali, Indonesia – Laura Rogora of Italy – who placed fourth in both events – and Annie Sanders of the USA – third in Wujiang, and not competing in Bali.

FIRST FINAL FOR DOUMONT, SLOVENIA ADD REKAR AND RAKOVEC

Behind the top four, Rosa Rekar of Slovenia climbed to fifth place, just ahead of her teammate Lucka Rakovec in sixth. Belgium’s Heloïse Doumont made history by qualifying for her first-ever IFSC World Cup final round in seventh, and Seo Chaehyun of South Korea took the final spot in eighth.

“It's crazy to make my first final,” commented Doumont. "To make in Innsbruck, with a lot of strong climbers in the competition, I can't believe it. I didn't think I was in first place when I fell, but my coach yelled at me: 'Hello! You're first!', and I thought: "Okaaay! Maybe I will go to the final'

"I trained very hard, I trained every day of the year to be able to give my best, and now it's paying off."

The eight women advancing to the final are as follows:

1. Janja Garnbret (SLO) – 44+

2. Erin McNeice (GBR) – 42+

3. Laura Rogora (ITA) – 42+

4. Annie Sanders (USA) – 42+

5. Rosa Rekar (SLO) – 40+

6. Lucka Rakovec (SLO) – 39+

7. Heloïse Doumont (BEL) – 39+

8. Seo Chaehyun (KOR) – 38+

For the women's Lead semi-final complete results click here.

SUZUKI STANDS ALONE, ROBERTS AND GRUPPER CLOSE BEHIND

Suzuki Neo of Japan emerged as the sole climber to top any of the two semi-final routes, placing first and giving himself a strong advantage heading into the final. Following his podium placement at this year's opening event, the 20-year-old is eyeing his first World Cup win.

Close behind Suzuki were Toby Roberts of Great Britain and Jesse Grupper of the USA, both scoring 50+. Roberts, fresh off his victory in the men’s Boulder final, maintained top form and placed second, while Grupper executed a major comeback, jumping from 21st in qualification to third overall.

“It was a lot of fun, the energy from the crowd was crazy!” said Grupper shortly after his climb. "I feel like I climbed well in a lot of sequences and it was fun to use my entire six minutes.

"There was a really cool sequence where the rest forced me to face the crowd, and I think sometimes Climbing is ridiculous, the positions that you're in, the interaction with the crowd, I was in my happy place for a moment."

He concluded: "Final routes in Innsbruck are notoriously pretty hard, but I improved in my rock Climbing over the past couple of years, and i'm excited for the fight!"

REST OF THE FIELD FILLED WITH POWERFUL NAMES

Behind the top three, the men’s final includes a mix of youth, experience, and global depth. Max Bertone of France placed fourth, followed by two time Olympian Alberto Ginés López of Spain in fifth. Japan’s Yoshida Satone took sixth, with Lee Dohyun of South Korea seventh, and Germany’s Yannick Flohé rounding out the field in eighth.

The eight men advancing to the final are as follows:

1. Neo SUZUKI (JPN)

2. Toby ROBERTS (GBR)

3. Jesse GRUPPER (USA)

4. Max BERTONE (FRA)

5. Alberto GINÉS LÓPEZ (ESP)

6. Satone YOSHIDA (JPN)

7. Dohyun LEE (KOR)

8. Yannick FLOHÉ (GER)

For the men's Lead semi-final complete results click here.

NEXT UP

The five-day long Climbing World Cup Innsbruck 2025 will conclude with the Lead finals tomorrow, starting at 19:40 (UTC+2:00).

News and updates about the event will be available on the IFSC website and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.