Delay sees women complete IFSC World Cup Prague qualification late into the evening
The women got their IFSC Boulder World Cup Prague underway with qualification following a small postponement due to a storm in the Czechia capital.
Five women came out strong topping all five boulders with USA’s Annie Sanders and Japan’s Matsufuji Anon leading the way in first, leading each of their respective groups.
Just behind, also topping all boulders but in more attempts was France’s Oriane Bertone, Great Britain’s Erin McNeice and Slovenia’s Jennifer Buckley.
Making it through to the semi-final was Japan’s Mori Ai who had a bit of an all or nothing day. Mori flashed four boulders for 100pts, but on the other she didn’t make the zone. So, staying on the century, Mori finished the day in ninth.
On both ends of the World Cup appearance spectrum are Spain’s Geila Macià Martín and South Korea’s Seo Chaehyun. 17-year-old Macià Martín is in just her second Boulder World Cup while Seo seems to be a name you hear constantly on the big stage, despite only being 21 years old.
Even with the difference, both make it through to the semi-final.
Interviewed after climbing but in that space where all you can do is sit and watch, Macià Martín said: “I’m very happy. It’s probably my first time in a semi-final for Boulder. I tried my best and let’s see what happens.”
After waiting, Macià Martín finished in 17th overall and booked her semi-final spot on boulders the young Spaniard liked: “I think they were really cool boulders with a lot of different styles and different moves, so I really enjoyed them.”
With a three-hour delay because of the weather, climbers are affected in different ways, but Macià Martín used her positive outlook to stay in the zone: “I just stayed happy. I am happy to be here and happy to be doing my second World Cup in Boulder.”
In contrast, the more experienced Seo seemed to be affected more negatively by the delay: “I think I was out of my rhythm, and it was a bit hard to get back.”
Seo did enough to get back into the rhythm to finish in 19th overall. Talking about her round Seo said: “I think not the best this time. I couldn’t focus on the first two boulders, but I recovered on the third. Not the best, but I felt good on the wall.”
With a three-way tie from one of the two groups, it meant the semi-final list had 25 names with Great Britain’s Emma Edwards that last name on the list.
The climbers in 21st overall from the two groups were Japan’s World Cup Salt Lake City winner Nakamura Mao, USA’s Adriene Akiko Clark, Israel’s Ayala Kerem and Italy’s Stella Giacani.
The women will compete in their semi-final and final on Sunday, a day after the men decide their medallists.
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.
