WOMEN’S SPEED OPENS CHAMONIX COMPETITION
The World Climbing Series Chamonix 2026 began with the women’s Speed climbers vying for a place in tomorrow’s final round
Fresh off her a new world record, USA’s Emma Hunt was once again the one to beat as the fastest climber in qualification with a 6.10s run. Even her second run of 6.25s would have been enough to take top spot with second placed Aleksandra Kalucka posting a 6.33s.
The Polish climber is used to climbing with her twin sister Natalia in finals, but this time around she will have to go it alone as Natalia missed out down in 19th position. Her time of 6.85s wasn’t enough for the first 16 places. In 16th was Milana Melnichenko with a time of 6.72s.
There will be home interest in the final with Capucine Viglione progressing in fifth position with a time of 6.46s. The French climber said: “I’m happy to be here in Chamonix and in front of the French crowd, and my family and friends.”
Reflecting on her qualification round Viglione said: “My first run was fast, close to my personal best, but the second, I wanted to go faster and that’s probably why I slipped. But I gave it my all and I’m happy with that.” (*Viglione’s personal best time is 6.43s)
With a final now to look forward to, Viglione said: “I’m going to take it one round at a time. My main goal is to go fast and enjoy every single minute of this competition.”
China has the most representatives in the final with four climbers progressing. Yafei Zhou was the highest placed climber from the nation in eighth and a time of 6.54s.
Last week’s winner, Desak Made Rita had a slow time of 8.92s in her first run so was up against it in her second, but the Indonesian didn’t panic and posted a time of 6.48s to progress in sixth.
Dewi, Viglione, and all the other finalists will race for gold tomorrow evening at 21:00 (Local Time, UTC +2)
WOMEN’S SPEED FINALISTS
1 Emma HUNT (USA) 6.10
2 Aleksandra KALUCKA (POL) 6.33
3 Polina KHALKEVYCH (UKR) 6.40
4 Leslie Adriana ROMERO PÉREZ (ESP) 6.43
5 Capucine VIGLIONE (FRA) 6.46
6 Desak MADE RITA KUSUMA DEWI (INA) 6.48
7 Isis ROTHFORK (USA) 6.50
8 Yafei ZHOU (CHN) 6.54
9 Giulia RANDI (ITA) 6.63
10 Yuju MOU (CHN) 6.64
11 Adi Asih KADEK (INA) 6.65
12 Shaoqin ZHANG (CHN) 6.66(4)
13 Carla MARTÍNEZ VIDAL (ESP) 6.66(5)
14 Lijuan DENG (CHN) 6.69
15 Jimin JEONG (KOR) 6.71
16 Milana MELNICHENKO (AIN) 6.72
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