We are excited to announce the much-awaited beta release of the new 8a.nu site! 100 people will be selected as beta testers based on geographical area and historic user activity. We may add additional testers at a second stage. Prerequisites for the test: Please only sign-up if you have an existing 8a account and are a regular user. The beta test is scheduled to finish in February. Sign-up as a beta tester. The new version marks a complete overhaul of the previous site. A significant amount of effort went into the clean-up of all the historic data of 8a.nu. Besides a new interface and design, we have; - introduced a smart search feature - created a map-based visualization of crags: explore, search, and filter - added easy filtering options to display rankings - improved the logging of ascents. "Thank you to everyone who signed up for the beta test. So far, 250 climbers have been given access to the beta site and we have received a lot of great feedback! If you have not signed up yet, feel free to do so as we will continuously add more people to the beta test.

Chaehyun Seo, who won the Lead World Cup, was #6 in the Ice World Cup in Cheongsong. Winners were Maria Tolokinina and Maksim Tomilov both from Russia. From the complete results we can also see that Mei Kotake, #11 in the World Lead Ch. was #7. Amazingly, the 16-year-old had just done four days of Ice Climbing practice before the WC. "My focus is on national championship and asian championship (last Olympic qualifying possibility) and make 9a+!" She did her first 9a in 2018. "My winter training focus are stronger fingers, max strength and physical. I make 4 days training and climbing schedule per week. Speed climbing is just 1 day per week. We will go to Tokyo next week for bouldering training. On February 18th, I go to Spain for three weeks." Her father Jongkuk says, "She tried La Rambla last year! So I think she can do that route.

Vadim Timonov has done his fourth 8C during the last month, From Dirt Grows The Flowers in Chironico and it took him just two session. Equally impressive is the pictured ten min ascent of Boogalagga 8B. In the 8a ranking game, the Russian who got the bronze in the Euorp Championship last year, is #5.

Max Bertone, sibling to Oriane appointed as the 8a teenager of 2019, has done Fragile steps in Rocklands. "Second 8A+ for me this year in Rocklands! Last year I was short on the crux. One session to send the boulder this year. I do not have experience in the grade (8B in the topo), but I think that 8A+ fits more." The first 8A+, the 12-year-old, did was Leopard cave. In the video, including also Electric chopper 8A, we can see he has the same amazing foot technique, as his big sister, when it comes to heal-hocking and going feet first in roofs.

Cathy Wagner has done another two 8a+'; Rompimos el chanchito and Pot belge, both in Prat Dip. In total, the 54-year-old has done 181 routes 8a+ and harder. Including also 579 8a, she just might be the female that have done most 8a and harder. Interesting is also that she has done 58 out of them the last 12 months, meaning she has had one of her best year ever.

Irina Kuzmenko, who took the bronze in the Euro Ch. last year, has done Dreamtime stand in Cresciano. " Can't believe its happened! Did it from two small crimps without heel hooks. Honestly by my feelings with two crimps this is 8B. It was a super hard journey with blood, tears and up and downs :). It means a lot to me. I can't describe how happy I'm. " (c) Leo Zhukov