The previous Oceania record, which stood at 5.2, had also been set by David at the Paris Olympic Games, where the New Zealander made the quarter-finals and came in seventh.

David said, “I knew sub 5 was going to happen this season, it was just a matter of when. Not to sound cocky but I had felt all of last season and since the Olympics had been building to this moment. It is such an incredible feeling and feat. I’m very proud of myself and my team specifically my coaches: Rob Moore climbing coach and Karyss Adams, Strength and Conditioning, for this achievement. On to the next goal now!”

“Julian has been working incredibly hard in training and we have been utilising the incredible support we receive from High Performance Sport NZ,” said NZ Speed Coach, Rob Moore.

“Post Olympics is honestly really hard on athletes both emotionally and physically, last year was all about riding the wave out of that place. Things came together well in our off-season this year and it was all pointing to a fast time in the 2026 season. The first PB in Krakow was nice, but we knew there was still more there. Everything came together in Chamonix and it was so awesome to see all the hard work over the last two years finally rewarded.”