Janja Garnbret and Sascha Lehmann win Lead in Innsbruck

Janja Garnbret doubled up by also winning in Lead in Innsbruck, six holds above Ai Mori and another eight holds higher than Jessica Pilz. This was the 24th Lead World Cup gold for Janja. Complete female results

Garnbret commented to IFSC; “I loved the route. It was incredible. Even during the observation I knew it was hard, but this is what we like. We like to show how we fight and what we train for, so this is exactly what we got and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I’m incredibly grateful to win both the Boulder and Lead, even more grateful because I’m coming back from injury. I’ve never had an injury before so I had no experience or expectations and it’s even more amazing coming back because there were a lot of doubts, crying and just a lot of negative thoughts, so coming back on top I’m incredibly grateful.”

Among the men, Alex Megos was first out and was #1 until the last man out, Sascha Lehmann tied his results and overtook the #1 position, by countback. Sasha has previously won one World Cup in 2019 and he also won the World Games in 2022. Jakob Schubert got the bronze also on countback and in total, six men reached that same hold. Complete male results (c) Lena Drapella/IFSC

Sascha said to the IFSC; “ I knew I could climb well and I am a strong climber, but it’s a packed field, we saw that in Boulder with so many young athletes coming in. My Boulder season didn’t go that well so I hoped I could do better in Lead. I worked hard at Lead, but I wasn’t sure where I was at. I know I can perform on the big stage, and I did, so it feels amazing.

You always do a move and think it feels good in the warm-up, and the atmosphere here is great, but in the end when you go out to the route it’s not thinking anymore, it’s just climbing. Do your thing, stay calm, do the moves and perform well.”