World Cup in Koper: Olympic champions and Slovenian...

World Cup in Koper: Olympic champions and Slovenian elite in front of home audience.

This weekend, Koper will once again be under the sign of sport climbing. The World Cup competition in lead will bring the best sport climbers from all over the world to the Coast – including a large Slovenian national team, led by Janja Garnbret. In addition to top sports performances, on September 5 and 6, there will also be a rich accompanying program that will excite the wider public and create a real sports festival.

Koper will host the biggest names in world sport climbing for the fourth time in a row on September 5 and 6. The World Cup competition in lead climbing is held under the auspices of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) and is organized by the Alpine Association of Slovenia for the 29th consecutive year. It is the sixth and final World Cup competition in lead this year. The competition will take place on the outdoor climbing wall of the Plus Climbing Koper Climbing Center, and the sports spectacle will be accompanied by a rich accompanying program that will attract numerous visitors and fans to the Coast.



Luka Fonda, coach of the Slovenian national team and head of the Plus Climbing Koper Climbing Center, which is the co-organizer of the competition, touched on the preparations: "Preparations are in full swing, from the Plus Climbing Koper Climbing Center for the last three weeks, currently the routes are being set by a team of three international and three domestic setters." He also spoke about the importance of the home competition: "For our sport branch, this is the most important competition on Slovenian soil. There are many Slovenian performances, which means an opportunity for younger competitors to break the ice in the world elite. Every year, really a lot of fans accompany our competitors with exceptional encouragement and with energy that they really don't have the opportunity to experience at other competitions. I am glad that the competition remains in Koper, that everyone makes maximum effort for it and that it brings such an exceptional event to our space."

As the technical director of the competition Tomo Česen said, 138 competitors from 35 countries are registered. Among the 66 female climbers and 72 male climbers are numerous big names in sport climbing, including the current Olympic champions, who are also last year's winners of the Koper competition, Janja Garnbret and Toby Roberts. The start list also includes the bronze medalists from last year's Olympic Games, Austrians Jakob Schubert and Jessica Pilz, the Olympic champion from Tokyo, Spaniard Alberto Ginés López, the current leaders in the overall lead standings, Japanese Sorato Anraku and British Erin McNeice, as well as sport climbing legends Czech Adam Ondra and Korean Jain Kim.

The Slovenian colors will be represented by a large Slovenian national team, in addition to Janja Garnbret (Šaleški AO) also Rosa Rekar (PK FA), Mia Krampl (AO PD Kranj), Lučka Rakovec (ŠPO PD Radovljica), Lana Gorič (PK FA), Sara Čopar (ŠPK Plus), Lucija Tarkuš (AK Impol Slovenska Bistrica), Lana Skušek (PK Scena) and Zala Mlakar-Starič (PK FA), and Luka Potočar (ŠPO PD Radovljica), Lovro Črep (Šaleški AO), Milan Preskar (PK Scena), Gorazd Jurekovič (ŠPO PD Radovljica) and Samo Golob (ŠPO PD Rašica).

The selector of the Slovenian national team Gorazd Hren spoke about the selection of competitors: "At the home competition, there are a few more quotas for participation, so some younger ones who have achieved good results at competitions and we think can successfully compete with the best at the World Cup competition join the established national team." He added: "Ahead of us is the home competition in Koper, which, in addition to the world championship, is also the most important competition in the season. Of course, in the team we want to show some quality climbing that the competitors are capable of and have shown throughout the season. Because of the home competition, this is even more important, we would like to present a good show and somehow also thank all the spectators for their support throughout the entire season and make a climbing festival with good results."

The first name of the Koper competition will certainly be the double Olympic champion and last year's winner Janja Garnbret, who decided for a longer competitive break this year: "This year's season is different, but I must say that I enjoy everything. In the spring months, the weather did not favor us for rock climbing, so there are still some unsettled plans there. Behind us is an extremely successful climbing marathon for Sponsorship in sports, which on one hand physically and psychologically emptied me, on the other filled me with a huge amount of positive energy. Basically, it served as a super introduction to Koper, where I think the goal is clear. I want to show good climbing and as always strive for perfection and enjoyment at the same time. Since the last competition in Innsbruck, summer has passed, so I look forward to competing again and I am motivated, especially in front of home fans." The Carinthian does not hide her enthusiasm before the home competition: "Without shame I say that I expect a crazy atmosphere. Fans in Koper have proven this so many times in recent years that it has become standard. So we all have the opportunity to prove something again. We have talked many times about the fact that my competition schedule is different this year, but the performance in Koper was never in question. Also with the team we feel excellent here and have excellent time also outside the wall. If I were to compete only at one competition, I would probably come to Koper."

We have seen Rosa Rekar in the final several times this year, where she has completely approached the best: "I managed to achieve some good results, which means a lot to me and is a big step forward compared to last year. It seems to me that I have progressed a lot, learned a tremendous amount and gained a lot of experiences. Overall, I am satisfied, proud of myself and motivated to continue with work and progress from competition to competition." She also spoke about the goals before the competition in Koper: "I want to qualify for the final, because I have already proven that I am capable. Even more important to me is to show a performance that I will really be proud of and to give everything on the wall from myself. At the same time, I want to take away additional experiences from the competition, as I know that these help me grow and progress." About the atmosphere at the competition, she said: "Performing in front of Slovenian fans means really a lot to me. Every year the atmosphere is something special, the audience gives you additional energy and support, which I really appreciate. The feeling is completely different than at competitions abroad. Especially a lot to me means that my family and friends can come to cheer. This gives me additional motivation and confidence."

Mia Krampl has experienced some ups and downs in this year's season. "It would be hard to say that I am satisfied with this year's season. I had some solid performances, but also some really bad moments. I try to burden myself as little as possible with previous performances and become back that 'real Mia'. My only goal is to give everything from myself and climb to the best of my abilities. If I show my maximum, I will be satisfied with my performance," said the two-time Olympian, who most likes to perform in front of home fans: "So many loud fans, happy faces, aspiring young climbers, family members and friends who come to support us. This is really a great privilege and it is an honor to me that I am or will be part of such an event. I expect a large crowd, crazy atmosphere, loud cheering and all smiles on the face. And nothing less!"

Lučka Rakovec, who returned to competitions this year after a longer absence due to illness and showed excellent preparedness already at the first competition, is already looking forward to the home competition: "The competition in Koper is of course something special, this year especially for me considering that I couldn't attend the competition last year. The atmosphere in Koper is really good every year and I think this year it won't be any different."

Also for the future of Slovenian climbing, we don't have to fear. Lana Gorič became the world youth vice-champion in lead a good month ago. The young competitor is enthusiastic about the opportunity before the senior competition: "The silver medal in Helsinki was a confirmation that I am on the right path and motivation for further. The competition in Koper means a lot to me, as it is an opportunity to measure myself with the best in the world and experience such a high level of competition. And to be able to experience all this in front of home fans gives me additional energy and drive for a good performance."

Luka Potočar was the first Slovenian Olympian and the first winner of the World Cup competition in Koper in 2022. He spoke about this year's season with mixed feelings: "I know that the competition is strong and that even placements in the final are an excellent achievement, nevertheless I would like more finals to be satisfied." Before the competition in Koper he summed up expectations: "As at every competition first the final and then I will set goals further. The home competition means a lot to me, maybe the pressure is a bit bigger, but still Koper is always something special and I am already looking forward to this special home competition for all."

A good week after the competition in Koper, the Slovenian national team will travel to the World Sport Climbing Championship in Seoul in South Korea, where the Slovenian colors will be represented by Janja Garnbret, Rosa Rekar, Mia Krampl, Lučka Rakovec, Jennifer Buckley and Luka Potočar in lead, and Janja Garnbret, Jennifer Buckley, Katja Debevec and Anže Peharc in boulders. Selector Gorazd Hren emphasizes before departing to the world championship: "The goals for the world championship are clear, set high. We all know that Janja is well prepared and goes to such a competition with the highest goals. The others have also trained well, I think they are well prepared and we count on some more good results. The team will be somewhat smaller, all the best who have shown the most in this year's season are going to the competition." To the question what the competition in Koper means before the championship, he answers: "What kind of send-off Koper will be for the world championship depends on the results, if the results are good, it will be an excellent send-off, maybe an additional self-confidence boost. I believe it will be so, if not, no matter, the goals remain the same and this changes nothing."

Our best sport climber Janja Garnbret about her preparations for the world championship: "Now we are in the period when for the first time this year I am seriously looking towards the world championship. I will go to it with fewer competitions than usual, but nevertheless I believe that I am very well prepared. But first there is the World Cup in Koper, then we will really think about South Korea and the world championship."

Anže Peharc, one of the Slovenian representatives for the world championship about this year's season: "I think this is my best season in my career. It is true that there were no podiums, that would be that dot on the i. With my consistency I am very satisfied, it showed that I trained well." Before the championship, some trainings await him: "Tomorrow I am traveling to Paris for a week on preparations with the French national team, so a week of tough trainings awaits me." Regarding expectations before the championship, he adds: "I know that the preparedness is the best and with such an approach I go to the competition. I want only to climb and not burden myself neither with results nor with boulders and see where that can lead me. I think in the end it can be very good."

The organizational leader of the World Cup competition in Koper Matej Planko announces that on Friday and Saturday in Koper there will be both a top sport climbing spectacle as well as a rich accompanying program. On Friday morning there will be a mini Olympics for local primary schools. Local providers will present themselves with a rich offer at stands at the venue. This year there will also be the First after party with DJ Xenia, with good music. He also emphasized the importance of support from the stands and invited spectators: "The weather forecast is excellent, a sunny weekend awaits us. Of course, we most want the stands to be filled by fans and in as large number as possible support the Slovenian climbers. For all who want more comfort, VIP tickets are available, this year we have upgraded the offer also with the Business Club, where Jezeršek Catering will take care of culinary indulgence." Part of the sales from tickets for the World Cup competition Koper 2025 will be dedicated to Sponsorship in sports under the ambassadorship of Janja Garnbret.

Program of the World Cup Koper 2025 in lead climbing

Friday, September 5
09:00-15:00 Qualifications
09:00-12:00 Program for primary schools and youth with Mini Olympics
09:00-12:00 Climbing on mobile climbing wall
17:00-19:30 Program at stands and music program with DJ
20:00 Semi-final
22:00-24:00 Program at stands and music program with DJ

Saturday, September 6
17:30-19:30 Telekom climbing kindergarten
19:30-20:00 Opening of the final
20:00-22:00 Final
22:00-24:00 Program at stands and music program with DJ

Deputy Mayor of the City Municipality of Koper Mateja Hrvatin Kozlovič expressed enthusiasm that Koper is the venue of the World Cup competition for the fourth time.

Saturday's final will be directly broadcast on program 2 of TV Slovenia. Media sponsors of WC Koper 2025 are TV Slovenia, Val 202 and Radio Capris. Major sponsors of the event are Slovenian Tourist Organization, Telekom Slovenia, Adidas Terrex, E-stave, OTP Bank, Prva osebna zavarovalnica d.d., Holding Slovenian Power Plants, d.o.o., Port Koper, Toyota Slovenia, Radgonske gorice, Pivovarna Laško d.d., Europlakat d.o.o., GeaGo Maps, Road Maps and City Maps, CityWall, Marjetica Koper, co-organizers of the event are the Institute for Sport of the City Municipality of Koper and Plus Climbing Koper Climbing Center.

We look forward to your presence at the World Cup competition in sport climbing in Koper. For more information visit the official website worldcupslo.com and follow us on social networks.