A total of 111 women and 187 men from 31 nations took part in Monday’s Para Climbing qualification, comfortably surpassing last year’s previous participation record of 233 athletes. The opening day of the seven-day event featured eight hours of continuous competition.
In the AL1 category, Angelino Zeller once again proved to be in a league of his own. The 29-year-old from Styria, unbeaten in World Cup competition since June 2021, secured the top spot in qualification once again.
“There was so much going on and the atmosphere was amazing. It makes me even more excited for the final,” said Zeller, who was pleased with his performance. “I feel fit and I’m really happy with how I climbed.”
Markus Pösendorfer also booked his place in the final after finishing second in qualification.
In the RP2 category, Jasmin Plank dominated the field. The 37-year-old from Tyrol climbed more than twenty holds higher than any of her competitors on both qualification routes.
“I stayed calm under pressure, and the crowd gave me that final push. This time I really reached my limit – and that’s the best feeling. Climbing until you’ve given absolutely everything instead of falling unexpectedly.”
A memorable World Cup debut came from Lilli Marie Laschitz of Carinthia. The 16-year-old secured second place in the B1 qualification and advanced straight to the final, making a statement with the only top on the second route.
“I honestly never expected to reach the final at my very first World Cup. I was especially nervous before the first route, so now I’m just incredibly happy to have made it,” Laschitz said after her impressive debut.
“A podium finish would be a realistic goal in the final, but I also know the final routes will be much harder. So now it’s simply about giving everything I have.”
The visually impaired athlete was guided through qualification by coach Annika Behlen, whose commands safely led the young Austrian through both routes.
Austria also celebrated success in the women’s B2 category, where Linda Le Bon and Edith Scheinecker finished second and third respectively to qualify for the final.
“After the disappointing result in Salt Lake City, I had some doubts, but today I proved to myself that I can still do it,” said Le Bon. “My goal for the final is to finish on the podium.”
In the RP2 category, Daniel Wiener advanced to the final with sixth place, while Daniel Teufl finished sixteenth in his World Cup debut. Michael Schlegl placed eighteenth in the RP1 category.
The Para Climbing finals will take place on Tuesday from 4 p.m., with live coverage on ORF Sport+.
