Mina, Maja and Domen in Sunday's final

After Saturday's qualifications and semifinals of the final World Cup lead climbing event Kranj 2014, three Slovenian representatives have qualified for the Sunday final at 5 PM in Zlato polje hall: Mina Markovič, Maja Vidmar and Domen Škofic. The Kranj 2014 World Cup event, held under the International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC, was attended by 98 competitors from 21 countries. We invite you to the press conference with the world's best sport climbers, which will take place in Zlato polje sports hall tomorrow, November 16, immediately after the announcement of results.

The Zlato polje sports hall in Kranj is hosting the final World Cup lead climbing event for the 19th consecutive time. This extremely popular competition among competitors has brought 98 sport climbers (42 women and 56 men) from 21 countries to Kranj to compete in the eighth and final event of this year's World Cup. The 14-member Slovenian team led by selector Roman Krajnik competed today in the following lineup: in women's competition Mina Markovič, Maja Vidmar, Jera Lenardič, Katja Kadič, Tjaša Kalan, Rebeka Kamin, Anja Šerbinek, and in men's Domen Škofic, Urban Primožič, Jure Bečan, Martin Bergant, Milan Preskar, Jure Raztresen and Gregor Vezonik.



QUALIFICATIONS and SEMIFINALS: 26 top sport climbers and 26 women competed in the semifinal routes for entry into tomorrow's final. As many as 9 Slovenian representatives (out of a total of 14 competing in Kranj) successfully advanced from qualifications to semifinals, namely in men's Domen Škofic (6th after qualifications), Urban Primožič (11.), Martin Bergant (15.) and Jure Raztresen (17.), in women's Mina Markovič (2nd in qualifications with one top), Maja Vidmar (5.), Tjaša Kalan (20.), Rebeka Kamin (21.) and Katja Kadič (26.). Semifinals were too far for Jera Lenardič (33.) and Anja Šerbinek (36.) as well as Jure Bečan (31.), Gregor Vezonik (31.) and Milan Preskar (39.). Our climbers performed excellently in semifinals, the semifinal route was excellently set for both women and men, our route setters excelled again. Into the final – among the eight best women in the world – Mina Markovič, the suverene semifinal winner, and Maja Vidmar with 7th result qualified as expected in women's competition. Tjaša Kalan achieved 15th place, Katja Kadič 18th and Rebeka Kamin 21st place. Domen Škofic climbed his first final on home soil in men's competition with 8th place, while Urban Primožič missed the final by a whisker and qualified 9th. Martin Bergant finished semifinals in 18th and Jure Raztresen in 19th place.

STATEMENTS AFTER SEMIFINALS: Selector and coach of the Slovenian senior national team Roman Krajnik rated our performances as follows: "More than satisfied, as qualifications went as expected, nine semifinalists, in the end unfortunately not four finalists as slightly planned in my head. But three finalists, how could I not be satisfied. Mina really showed incredible climbing today, so everything is as it should be. Maja and Domen were perhaps a bit nervous, especially Domen did not climb in semifinals as he is capable. Considering the great burden on him, as he has really never succeeded in Kranj before, the final has certainly lifted a big stone from his chest. I think tomorrow will be quite interesting!"

Mina Markovič, 3rd in overall World Cup lead standings, 2nd in combined and 1st in Kranj semifinals: "Missed the top by a little again, but up to there I think I showed really good climbing. Can't wait for tomorrow, another such route. I really enjoy climbing, only wish some top hadn't slipped away or I went over it more convincingly. Tomorrow I really want to clip that last top this year."

Maja Vidmar, 8th in overall World Cup lead standings, 7th in Kranj semifinals: "Extremely happy with the final. I was prepared for the route, it promised action. I wanted to climb to the point where I'm interested what needs to be done, but unfortunately I went down earlier, the move was simply too far, I gripped the hold poorly. I burned too much earlier, but it doesn't matter, if it's enough, it's enough. Tomorrow a new route and new action!"

Domen Škofic, 4th in overall World Cup lead standings, 3rd in combined and 8th in Kranj semifinals: "My first Kranj final, couldn't be happier with it, as I've wanted it for so long. Already last year I was very well prepared, even a year before, but here I simply couldn't climb as I know how. Today wasn't what I know either, but I'm satisfied that it was enough. Tomorrow I'll enjoy it... Whatever happens, happens, as the final is already the right reward after such a really successful season."

FINAL on Sunday, November 16, starts at 5 PM, when the 8 finalists will inspect the final route, and the 8 best women climbers will start the final route after the men's final.

Results after semifinals

Women (source: WC Kranj 2014)

Men (source: WC Kranj 2014)

1. Mina Markovič (SLO)

2. Jain Kim (KOR)

3. Akiyo Noguchi (JPN)

7. Maja Vidmar (SLO)

…

15. Tjaša Kalan (SLO)

18. Katja Kadič (SLO)

21. Rebeka Kamin (SLO)

33. Jera Lenardič (SLO)

36. Anja Šerbinek (SLO)

1. Adam Ondra (CZE)

2. Sachi Ammi (JPN)

3. Sean McColl (CAN)

8. Domen Škofic (SLO)

…

9. Urban Primožič (SLO)

18. Martin Bergant (SLO)

19. Jure Raztresen (SLO)

31. Jure Bečan (SLO)

31. Gregor Vezonik (SLO)

39. Milan Preskar (SLO)



Standings in overall World Cup lead

Women (source: IFSC)

Men (source: IFSC)

1. Jain Kim (KOR) - 561 points

2. Magdalena Röck (AUT) - 501 points

3. Mina Markovič (SLO) - 494 points

...

8. Maja Vidmar (SLO) - 225 points

1. Jakob Schubert (AUT) - 483 points

2. Romain Desgranges (FRA) - 414 points

3. Sean McColl (CAN) - 397 points

4. Domen Škofic (SLO) - 379 points

...