The second Lead competition of the World Climbing Europe Series 2026 took place in Ostermundigen, Switzerland, one week before the continent’s leading Lead and Speed athletes gather in Laval, France, for the World Climbing Europe Championship from 28 to 30 August.

MARTÍNEZ ALMENDROS TAKES GOLD, DEUBLER RETURNS TO THE PODIUM

Spain’s Iziar Martínez Almendros won the women’s Lead event after an outstanding performance throughout the competition. Climbing last in the final after winning the semi-final, she secured gold with a score of 37+.

Austria’s Anika Deubler took silver with 35+, following her gold at the season-opening Lead competition in Žilina, Slovakia, with a second podium of the season. Great Britain’s Connie Bridgens completed the podium with 33.

For the complete women’s Lead results click here.

POLES DOMINATES AS UTELLI CELEBRATES AT HOME

France’s Jordi Poles won gold in the men’s Lead final with a dominant score of 45, improving on the bronze medal he earned in Žilina. His teammate Akyan Etchar, who had finished ahead of Poles in the semi-final, took silver with 39+.

Switzerland’s Jonas Utelli claimed bronze with 38, earning his first medal of the season in front of a home crowd.

For the complete men’s Lead results click here.

NEXT UP

Laval 2026 takes place from 28 to 30 August. Following the European Championship, one senior continental event remains on the calendar: the World Climbing Europe Series Speed competition in Leipzig, Germany, on 3 October.

All European events will be live streamed on the World Climbing Europe YouTube channel. News and updates about all World Climbing events will be available on the World Climbing website, and on the Federation’s digital channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, and exclusively for the Chinese audience, Douyin, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu.