Loic Zehani has during one week in Alicante done nine routes 8c and harder including La negra (9a) and a flash of Sesion de control (8c). In total, the 20-year-old has done almost 200 routes 8c to 9b, out of which 54 just the last 12 months. "La Negra is a route redpointed by Pedro Pons in 2001. It is 12 meters in a big overhang. It's very powerful all the route with a really hard 2/3 section."

IFSC has presented the 2022 rules including the point scoring system for the Combined events. As has been mentioned before, you get 25 points for doing a boulder on the first attempt and 24.9 for doing it on the second try etc. If you only make it to the first zone you get 3 points and 6 points are awarded for the second Zone, deducted also with 0.1 points per try. The results for every boulder will be presented in four columns and here is an example: A7 z2 Z3 T5 = 24.6 points (7 Attempts in total, 2 attempts to the first zone, 3 attempts to the second Zone and 4 attempts to the Top.)

On the Lead route, 100 points are awarded for topping out including clipping the anchor. A climber getting to the second last hold will get 95 points and 95.1 is awarded for getting a + on the second last hold. The 5 points deduction continues to hold -15 relatively to the top, meaning you get 25 points. Then a 2 points deduction continues to hold -25 (= scoring 5 points) followed by a 1 point deduction.

Alex Huber, one of the very best climbers during the '90s, has made the FA of La Bavarese V, 8a+, 8b+, 8b, 8b+, 7b+ at Punta Giraldili in Sardinia. The 53-year-old is known for his hard grades. In 1996 he made the FA of Open Air and the only repeat has been done by Adam Ondra who upgraded, meaning it became the first 9a+ in the world. Alex has also made several FA's on El Capitan as well as several speed records. At that time he also said the 9b FA by Fred Rouhling and the 9b+ FA by Bernabe Fernandez had exaggerated grades and caused the grade inflation. Time has shown he was right. (c) Riky Felderer

"The Ogliastra on the central east coast of Sardinia is a climbers paradise - you find amazing walls and striking spires and you could say that nothing compares to the Grutta Pintata, the giant roof on the South Face of Punta Giradili. Throughout all these years in the mountains, I haven't seen any other big overhang of similar dimensions. Meant to be climbed!

Right through the centre of this overhang leads the new route "La Bavarese" which I opened ground up one year ago. In October I came back with the intention to free climb its six pitches, but too much rain made a completely free ascent impossible - I had to come back and that´s exactly what I did! The first three pitches ( V / 8a+ / 8b+ ) of „La Bavarese“ follow the route "Niké" of Jan Kares - a line that still awaits a free ascent. The third pitch is the first crux - a short and bouldery pitch! With the fourth pitch, my creation "La Bavarese" leaves the route of Jan Kares and follows the line of least resistance. Another round of wildly overhanging roof climbing on three more pitches ( 8b / 8b+ / 7b+). The support of the local climbers was essential. Riky Felderer was only in charge to shoot these amazing pictures, but he was constantly supporting my efforts as well as he was my partner on the final redpoint ascent on the 5th of February."

What about training nowadays?
No more training as I never was really motivated to go to climbing gyms. But I climb regularly and do that whenever this is possible. Climbing itself is still effective training 😊

Karoline Sinnhuber has done Frank's seduto in Cresciano. "Went down quite quick after sending the normal Frank in December. Nice add to the original line."

What about your Insta Ninja Warriors pictures?
Well, I competed at Ninja Warrior Austria just for fun. Surprisingly I buzzered in the first round and made it to the semifinal - where I finally landed in the water :P. I didn‘t like the "rule" that you‘re not allowed to use chalk on those slippery obstacles... as a climber you might understand that pretty well ;)

Alex Honnold comments the Wideboys' theory on how Honnold free soled 1 000 meters. "I didn't participate in any way, but I stumbled upon it and they actually did a great job. I thought it was all spot on - a really good explanation of switching between intensities while soloing."

Gonzalo Larrocha has done Definición de Resistencia Demócrata (9a) in Terradets. "Yesterday I drove to the crag arriving there without no expectation. I tried the crux section to warm up without good feelings. After Pol did his warming attempt. Then It was my time again and I managed to send the incredible líne. During the sending attempt, I felt really nervous at the easiest section close to the anchor. About the grade, I think that the route is way harder if you climb without kneepads as Dani (Andrada) did on the FA. Thanks to Dani for all the toys that he has been leaving for all of us. For sure this is one of the most important pieces in the climbing history."

Nolwen Berthier, who has not bouldered in the last two years, has during a seven days trip to Brione done three 8A's; Ponk (in a few tries), Disney Production (one session) and Fake Pamplemousse (two sessions). The 28-year-old is a former competition climber who has several times made it to the semi. She has previously done two 8c+ and a dozen 8c's.

Which was the hardest of the three boulders?
For me, this last one was a little bit harder because it’s a little more physical. But Disney production really fits with my style so it’s hard to say!

What is next?
For now, I will go back to Supercrackinette.

Camille Coudert has publish a video on his Insta when he makes the second repeat of Simon Lorenzi's Soudain Seul 9A in Fontainebleau and he confirms the grade. Coudert says he hesitated as he does not feel to be one of the best boulderers in the world. At the same time, he says that it is his hardest boulder ever and if he would go for 8C+ then consequently some of the hardest he has tried had to be downgraded. Nico Pelorson did the first repeat and he thought it was 8C+. It should also be mentioned that the two first ascents were done with a book under the knee pad but Camille at 177 cm did not need that.

The other two 9A's in the world, Nalle Hukkataival's Burden of Dreams and Daniel Woods' Return of the Sleepwalker, have not yet been repeated. Charles Albert has also suggested 9A for No kapote only but that one was downgraded to 8C by Nico Pelorson.