22.07.2013
On Saturday, 20 July 2013, the first Lead World Cup event of the year concluded in Briançon, France. Seven of our representatives competed, with five advancing to the semifinals; in the final, Domen Škofic took 4th place, and Mina Markovič claimed an excellent 2nd place and the silver medal.
Following the European Lead Championship held from 11 to 13 July 2013 in Chamonix, France, where Mina Markovič earned the title of European runner-up, the world's climbing elite gathered this weekend in Briançon, France. This was the opening Lead World Cup event of the IFSC 2013 organised by the International Federation of Sport Climbing. Slovenia was represented by: Maja Vidmar, Mina Markovič, Tina Šušteršič, Domen Škofic, Sergej Epih, Jure Raztresen, and Martin Bergant.
This year, Mina Markovič is defending her double overall titles in Lead and Combined World Cups. At last year's first Lead WC in Chamonix, France, Mina Markovič won; this year, she did not repeat the result at the opening Lead World Cup, but she came very close. She confidently advanced through qualifications and semifinals, taking 1st place in both, but in the final, she slipped from the last hold in the route and finished 2nd. Only Korean Jain Kim reached the top of the final route, with Frenchwoman Helene Janicot in 3rd. According to STA reports, Markovič arrived at the last holds relatively rested. However, her foot placement was not optimal, and while preparing for the last move, her hand slipped from the hold. She managed to catch it, but a sequence of minor errors cost her the top. Mina has once again proven she is in top form and ready to fight for her third consecutive overall World Cup victory.
The best from the Slovenian camp in the men's competition was Domen Škofic, who placed 2nd in qualifications, 6th in semifinals, and performed confidently in the final, showing good climbing; however, at the top of the route, he was not decisive enough on one move and finished just off the podium in 4th. This 4th place will be a great foundation and strong motivation for Domen to continue the World Cup. 1st place went to Spaniard Ramón Julian Puigblanque, 2nd to Japanese Sachi Amma, and 3rd to Swiss Cédric Lachat.
Besides Mina and Domen, Maja Vidmar (25th), Tina Šušteršič (23rd), and Sergej Epih (24th) also qualified for the semifinals of the top 26 men/women and stayed there. In qualifications, Jure Raztresen finished 30th and Martin Bergant 41st.
Loyal fans could watch the World Cup live via the IFSC website.
Next in the season are the World Games from 3 to 4 August 2013 in Cali (Colombia), where Domen Škofic and Mina Markovič will compete; they are departing for Cali next week. After the World Games comes the Lead World Cup in Imst, Austria (9–10 Aug 2013), where Mina will also participate; Domen will skip this one as he will compete at the Youth World Championship in Canada (his last in youth category) mid-August aiming for his second Youth World Champion title.
WORLD GAMES: 3–4 Aug 2013, Cali (Colombia), disciplines: lead, speed (Slovenian competitors do not compete in speed).
YOUTH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: 15–16 Aug 2013, Central Saanich (Canada), disciplines: lead, speed (Slovenian competitors do not compete in speed).
IFSC WORLD CUP 2013 – LEAD
19–20 Jul Briancon (France)
9–10 Aug Imst (Austria)
20–21 Sep Puurs (Belgium)
27–29 Sep Perm (Russia) 12–13 Oct Wujiang (China)
19–20 Oct Mokpo (Korea)
1–2 Nov Valence (France)
16–17 Nov Kranj (Slovenia)
