The fifth round of the IFSC Lead World Cup took place in Puurs, Belgium this weekend. Following a month-long break after the fourth round in Stavanger, Korea's Jain Kim took Gold in the women's event and Slovenia's Domen Skofic won his first ever World Cup event after completing every route in the competition. Great Britain's Molly Thompson-Smith came a highly respectable 19th place after qualifying for the semi-finals.
© IFSC
Three members of the French team, Julia Chanourdie, Salomé Romain and Hélène Janicot made finals, but habitual podium-finishers - reigning Lead World Champion Jain Kim (KOR), Mina Markovic (SLO) and Anak Verhoeven (BEL) - took the top spots ahead of Austria's Jessica Pilz. Both Jain and Mina topped the final route but Jain took first place on countback from the semi-finals after a clean sweep of each route in the event.
The men's final saw Slovenia's Domen Skofic match Kim's achievement of a perfect competition with tops on all four routes. Austria's Jakob Schubert and Ramon Julian Puigblanque of Spain completed the podium. 16 year-old William Bosi of Edinburgh was highest-placed GB male with a commendable 30th place, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals.
© IFSC
Gautier Supper (FRA) and Mina Markovic remain leaders of the overall ranking in the series, with no changes to the top spot after the Puurs round.
The next round will be held in Wujiang, China on 17th and 18th October.
17 year-old Molly Thompson-Smith described her feelings after the competition, telling UKC:
"It was a pleasant surprise to make semis in Puurs and I was so happy I got the chance to climb another great route! I felt pretty good on the semi final route and really enjoyed the moves which is always a bonus. I'm looking forward to gaining more experience at senior competitions and trying to improve my performances."
British Results:
WOMEN
Molly Thompson-Smith 19th
Jennifer Wood 34th
MEN
William Bosi 30th
Jim Pope 35th
Dave Barrans 36th
Luke Dawson 55th
Watch a replay of the finals below:
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