Alizee Dufraisse completes Second life (8A+)

Alizee Dufraisse has done Second life (8A+) in Chironico. The 36-year-old is a former competition climber who has sent three 9a's and eight boulders 8B and beyond. In the Lead World Cup, her best result was a podium in 2009. Currently, she is writing her PhD thesis in Sociology regarding changes in professional climbing. (c) Marine Thevenet

Can you tell us more about Second Life?
After Kingda Ka (8B) in October I was very motivated and tried From dirt grows the flower left (8B+) a little but I kind of tweaked my shoulder so [I] had to find a boulder that didn’t bother me. I decided then to try The Crack Line (8B) which I think is a super line as well. It is hard!!! I couldn't send but I made good tries. At the same time, I wanted to have a "side project", especially with the idea of an endurance boulder as I'm returning to routes soon. So I started trying Second Life. It was cool, as I also learned about my abilities to go climbing alone, make it safe, and find motivation and confidence.

I have always been bouldering with someone because I didn't imagine I could do it alone and that it would feel different but as good in a way. So it's weird, how I could have put myself some limits in my climbing practice.