The women got their IFSC Boulder World Cup Prague underway with qualification following a small postponement due to a storm in the Czechia capital.<\/p>\n
Five women came out strong topping all five boulders with USA\u2019s Annie Sanders and Japan\u2019s Matsufuji Anon leading the way in first, leading each of their respective groups.<\/p>\n
Just behind, also topping all boulders but in more attempts was France\u2019s Oriane Bertone, Great Britain\u2019s Erin McNeice and Slovenia\u2019s Jennifer Buckley.<\/p>\n
Making it through to the semi-final was Japan\u2019s Mori Ai who had a bit of an all or nothing day. Mori flashed four boulders for 100pts, but on the other she didn\u2019t make the zone. So, staying on the century, Mori finished the day in ninth.<\/p>\n
On both ends of the World Cup appearance spectrum are Spain\u2019s Geila Maci\u00e0 Mart\u00edn and South Korea\u2019s Seo Chaehyun. 17-year-old Maci\u00e0 Mart\u00edn is in just her second Boulder World Cup while Seo seems to be a name you hear constantly on the big stage, despite only being 21 years old.<\/p>\n
Even with the difference, both make it through to the semi-final.<\/p>\n
Interviewed after climbing but in that space where all you can do is sit and watch, Maci\u00e0 Mart\u00edn said: \u201cI\u2019m very happy. It\u2019s probably my first time in a semi-final for Boulder. I tried my best and let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
After waiting, Maci\u00e0 Mart\u00edn finished in 17th overall and booked her semi-final spot on boulders the young Spaniard liked: \u201cI think they were really cool boulders with a lot of different styles and different moves, so I really enjoyed them.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a three-hour delay because of the weather, climbers are affected in different ways, but Maci\u00e0 Mart\u00edn used her positive outlook to stay in the zone: \u201cI just stayed happy. I am happy to be here and happy to be doing my second World Cup in Boulder.\u201d<\/p>\n
In contrast, the more experienced Seo seemed to be affected more negatively by the delay: \u201cI think I was out of my rhythm, and it was a bit hard to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seo did enough to get back into the rhythm to finish in 19th overall. Talking about her round Seo said: \u201cI think not the best this time. I couldn\u2019t focus on the first two boulders, but I recovered on the third. Not the best, but I felt good on the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a three-way tie from one of the two groups, it meant the semi-final list had 25 names with Great Britain\u2019s Emma Edwards that last name on the list.<\/p>\n
The climbers in 21st overall from the two groups were Japan\u2019s World Cup Salt Lake City winner Nakamura Mao, USA\u2019s Adriene Akiko Clark, Israel\u2019s Ayala Kerem and Italy\u2019s Stella Giacani.<\/p>\n
The women will compete in their semi-final and final on Sunday, a day after the men decide their medallists.<\/p>\n
News and updates about the event will be available on the IFSC website<\/a> and on the Federation\u2019s digital channels: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, Threads<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo<\/a>, and Xiaohongshu.<\/p>\n