Itziar Zabala (22) has an untypical background. She is possibly the first woman ever to jump from 7C+ to 8A+. And that has happened in the late 2016 with Solaris 8A+ in Baltzola, Spain, which had a FFA by legendary Josune Beraziartu in 2003, first woman to climb 9a/a+. The problem was established ages ago and always has been a solid 8A+, sent by many of the best climbers of Spain. Note that also Itziar did her first 8a route when she was 15 years old. After Solaris, she did also her first 8A's few weeks ago, Harrobi and Atreyu both in Albarracín, Spain. What was your hardest problem sent before Solaris? I used to climb indoors a lot; comps and I just have done easier grades up to 7C+. Do you follow any training program and what is your project for 2017? Last year I trained a lot in the local gym with a training program, but nowadays I haven't trained in the last 6 months, just climbing outdoors. Projects? Just travel and climb!

Louis de Cornulier has put together his Top-9 video list. "Enjoy, stack up motivation, and go climbing!!" Please add your best videos as a comment. Ganesh 8b+ by Gérome Pouvreau Video link La reina mora 9a (8c+) by Alizée Dufraisse Video link Coup de Grâce 9a by Dave Graham Video link Rolihlahla 8b by Paige Claassen Video link La rose et le vampire 8b by Anna Stohr Video link Tom et je ris 8b+ by Martina Cufar Video link Livin' Astro 8c+ by Dave Graham from Dosage vol. 2 (34'20) Spank the Monkey 8b+ by Tommy Caldwell from Dosage vol. 3 (1'17''07) Peace 8a+/b by Beth Rodden from Dosage vol. 5 (1'09''48) Steve Shadow makes the Top-10 complete, Sharma and Ondra do La Dura Dura 9b+.

Michaela Kiersch, who did an 8c+ last Sunday in Red Rriver Gorge, is setting new standards by doing two this weekend: Southern Smoke and Fifty Words for Pump in a total of ten goes. To make the story even more impressive, it is a seven hour drive from Chicago to Red River Gorge, where she trains a competitive group five times a week. At the same time she is studying at the university. How can you best explain this extreme progress? Honestly I have no idea. I must be stronger than ever and going in with no pressure and no expectations has definitely helped me. How do you train and What are your goals? I make my own program depending on what my goals are. Usually RRG on the weekends and power/power endurance Tuesday-Thursday. Just keep improving.

Louis de Cornulier has put together his Top-9 video list. "Enjoy, stack up motivation, and go climbing!!" Please add your best videos as a comment. Ganesh 8b+ by Gérome Pouvreau Video link La reina mora 9a (8c+) by Alizée Dufraisse Video link Coup de Grâce 9a by Dave Graham Video link Rolihlahla 8b by Paige Claassen Video link La rose et le vampire 8b by Anna Stohr Video link Tom et je ris 8b+ by Martina Cufar Video link Livin' Astro 8c+ by Dave Graham from Dosage vol. 2 (34'20) Spank the Monkey 8b+ by Tommy Caldwell from Dosage vol. 3 (1'17''07) Peace 8a+/b by Beth Rodden from Dosage vol. 5 (1'09''48) Steve Shadow makes the Top-10 complete, Sharma and Ondra do La Dura Dura 9b+.

A jó hír, hogy a sérülése javulónak tűnik, legalábbis az insta kommentek alapján.

Vo všeobecnosti nie je veľa lezcov, ktorí sa venujú lezeniu s lanom aj boulderingu na vysokom leveli. Tu je kombinovaný rebríček Top-5 žien, v ktorom je Amanda Berezowska (na obrázku) na druhom mieste. 1. Oriane Bertone FRA 2. Amanda Berezowski CAN 3. Frances Bensley GBR 4. Margot Salon FRA 5. Lara Neumeier GER Minulý rok preliezla svoje prvé 8b+ a v posledných týždňoch sa jej podarilo vyliezť prvé tri bouldre obtiažnosti 7C+. Na obrázku lezie Amanda boulder Slow Dance v Bishope. "Lezenie je môj život! Začala som ako členka súťažného tímu v Calgary, potom som cestovala, liezla a súťažila na medzinárodných pretekoch a bola som pri tom, keď vznikala lezecká oblasť Virgin Gorda." Amandin blog

Louis de Cornulierzostal zoznam jeho deviatich najobľúbenejších videí. "Zabav sa, naber motiváciu a hybaj liezť!!" V komentároch môžeš pridať svoje najobľúbenejšie video. Ganesh 8b+ od Géroma Pouvreaua Video link La reina mora 9a (8c+) od Alizée Dufraisse Video link Coup de Grâce 9a od Davea Grahama Video link Rolihlahla 8b od Paige Claassen Video link La rose et le vampire 8b od Anny Stohr Video link Tom et je ris 8b+ od Martiny Cufar Video link Livin' Astro 8c+ od Davea Grahama z Dosage vol. 2 (34'20) Spank the Monkey 8b+ od Tommyho Caldwella z Dosage vol. 3 (1'17''07) Peace 8a+/b odm Beth Rodden z Dosage vol. 5 (1'09''48) Steve Shadow završuje Top-10, z videom Chrisa Sharmu a Adama Ondru v La Dura Dura 9b+.

Zdá sa, že Alexove zranenie sa zlepšuje, keďže sa posledné dni podľa jeho Instagramových postov pohyboval a liezol v oblasti Leonidio.

Michaela Kiersch má v Red River Gorge parádnu bilanciu. Predminulú nedeľu sa jej podarilo preliezť jedno 8c+ a minulý víkend pridala ďalšie dve, Southern Smoke a Fifty words for Pump. Na ich prelezenie jej stačilo len 10 pokusov. Jej výkon je o to hodnotnejší, že cesta do Red River Gorge z Chicaga, kde trénuje miestny tím a zároveň študuje na univerzite, trvá autom 7 hodín. Čomu vďačíš za takýto extrémne rýchly progres? "Naozaj netuším. Asi som jednoducho silnejšia ako kedykoľvek predtým a leziem bez zbytočného tlaku a očakávaní, čo mi jednoznačne pomohlo." Akým spôsobom trénuješ a aké máš ciele do budúcna? "Robím si vlastný tréningový plán na základe toho, čo chcem dosiahnuť. Zvyčajne chodím do RRG (Red River Gorge) cez víkendy a cez týždeň trénujem silu/silovú vytrvalosť v utorky a štvrtky. Proste sa zlepšovať."

There are less climbers who perform on a high level in both routes and boulders. Here is the Top-5 Combined female ranking where Amanda Berezowski on the picture is #2. 1. Oriane Bertone FRA 2. Amanda Berezowski CAN 3. Frances Bensley GBR 4. Margot Salon FRA 5. Lara Neumeier GER Last year she did her first 8b+ and during the last weeks, she did her first three 7C+. Slow dance in Bishop in the picture. "Climbing is my life! I started in Calgary on a competitive youth team, I travel, climb and compete internationally, and was part of developing the Virgin Gorda." Check her blog