Laura Rogora, who got the bronze in the World Cup this season, is the new Vertical-Life ranking game number one. This is the first time since the Top-10 yearly ascents ranking was introduced in 2000 that we have a female ahead of all male. In total, she has sent a dozen routes 9a or 9a+.

If we only measure onsight, she is superior, with over one grade, on average, above the runner-up, based on ten onsights 8b+ to 8c+ only in 2025. (c) Andrea Donato

If we take the 24-year-old’s amazing 2025 into a historical context, onlyAdam Ondra, Alex Megos, Stefano Ghisolfi, Sebastien Bouin and Jorge Diaz-Rullo have had a higher annual score.

Anna Kelley, who was #8 in the Youth World Championship, has done After Hours (8B) in Huntington Canyon. The 18-year-old did her first 8A only five weeks ago and then Meadowlark Lemon Stand (8A+) last month.

Can you tell us more about the ascent?
On my first day I did all the moves and linked from the middle to the top, but the second move was the crux for me, as I just didn’t feel strong enough on the left hand. By my third session I started trying from the bottom and only stuck the second move twice, falling on the last jump crux both times. When I came back for my fifth session, it was probably the hottest day I tried it and my skin was thin, but I fell on the last jump three times and finally stuck it on the fourth. I only sent my first outdoor V11 about a month ago, so now sending my first v13 feels pretty crazy.

What are your winter plans?
For the winter I am planning on focusing more on comp climbing and preparing for the upcoming world cup season. But I do have a trip to Red Rocks planned during December.

Lorenzo Bogliacino, fresh from a trip to Rodellar, where he did four 9a’s and a 9a+, has done Lapsus (9a+) in Andonno. ”Three years later I would have become a firefighter. The knees — you’ve got to know how to use them too!”

Why do you think you are in the best shape of your life?
Last year, after breaking a pulley, I started rehabilitation with my physiotherapist, Filippo Oliva, and gradually worked my way back to full training. For four or five months, I dedicated myself entirely to training, setting aside rock climbing and trying to save as many vacation days as possible for the summer season.

In April, I got back on rock and began to put all the training to work. Starting in June, I took my vacations in stages in Rodellar and climbed in the Gorges du Loup in the others days! This kind of powerful, physical climbing always gets me in great shape, but this year I also decided to include strength training sessions to keep my body stimulated while working on such long routes.

I believe motivation and consistency are always the main keys. In any case, I never would have expected such a season, nor to reach such good shape for my last October trip to Rodellar! Once I got home, I was immediately curious to go back to Andonno — and in just three days, I managed to finish what I had left unfinished three years ago, after two long months of attempts!

Eva Hammelmüller has sent Odisey (8c+) and Mallorkaos L2 (8c+) in Mallorca. During her last four climbing days, the 24-year-old did also send four 8b+ or 8c’s. (c) Lea Kempf

Can you tell us more about your trip to Mallorca and your most memborable ascents?
The hardest route I sent this week was ‚Odisey‘ 8c+. Climbing this massive line was a totally new experience for me, as I had never ever climbed in such a steep roof before. I loved the process of figuring out in which sequences it’s easier to climb feet first, and how many 360 degree turns you need to save as much energy as possible, as the crux part is right at the end of the roof. The hardest move for me was the nerve-wracking and powerful dyno into a good pocket over the roof edge.l In order to keep it together all the way to the top, I needed to fight not only my pumped forearms but as well my biceps and core pump.😂 Checked it out one day and sent it first go on my second day!!! Despite the chipped holds in the roof, I had SO MUCH FUN in this line!!! In this crag, I could also do the first repetition of 'Guiris go home‘ 8c/+ after a hold broke, which created a cool 2-move boulder problem that cost me quite some nerves on the first day. :D

Probably my favourite route of this trip was 'Mallorkaos L2‘. This route is not only demanding regarding finger strength on crimps and pockets, but as well concerning powerful moves, underclings and gastons. When I first checked it out, it for sure felt like 8c+, but I then sent it surprisingly quickly on my third go - that's why I am not 100% sure about the grade. In coordination with local climbers, we propose 8c+, but curious what other climbers will think! Anyway, AMAZING climb and thanks a lot to the local climbing community for the warm welcome and the hospitality!! <3

On the same day at the very end after climbing another 8b+, I tried ‚Xulita‘ 8b+/c just because the line looked amazing. However, I somehow managed to fall while clipping the second quickdraw due to a footslip and found myself back on the ground. At that point, I found it very funny, and just started again… and then, I didn’t fall all the way to the top!! This could have been my hardest flash if I had focused a bit more in the beginning. Well, I guess I learned my lesson :D. Thanks to Julie for shouting up all the beta despite a sore throat, you are the best!

To sum up, I had such a great week, thanks team, thanks girls, and thanks again to everyone we met at the crags for the hospitality!

Maya Madere, who started out her IFSC season by being #21 in Lead in China, has sent Chocolate Jesus (8B) in Wild Basin. ”My first of the grade and an absolute stunner of a boulder. The small box crux suited me very well. Properly utilizing the large but deceptively slippery right foot during the lip encounter was very tricky for me.”

Can you tell us more about sending your first 8B?
I owe much credit for this send to my dear friend Helen Gillett, who brought me to Chocolate Jesus and encouraged me to try despite my protestations (I had been intimidated by the grade and avoided trying this boulder for some time). To my surprise it actually suited me very well. I did the leftward shoulder move usually considered to be the crux fairly quickly, but struggled mightily with the lip encounter. Tragically, that very session Helen popped a pulley on a devastatingly close burn with both hands over the lip. I vowed to return and send in her honor, which I successfully did after 2 more sessions.

We’re excited to announce that USA Climbing has successfully transitioned all their competitions to the Vertical-Life platform starting in October 2025. The collaboration covers the complete competition workflow — including registrations, payments, event scoring, and public score displays. This marks a major step forward in streamlining event operations and enhancing the experience for athletes, officials, and the wider climbing community.

“USA Climbing recently transitioned its results service platform to Vertical-Life. As with any major system change, the process can be both complex and demanding. Vertical-Life’s team made the transition remarkably smooth — working tirelessly alongside our staff and volunteers, addressing challenges in real time, and demonstrating a strong commitment to ongoing development and customization. We’re excited to partner with such a dedicated and innovative company as we continue to enhance the experience for our athletes, officials, and community.”

— John Muse, Chief of Sport | USA Climbing

Since the launch, more than 12,900 athletes have already registered through the system, and 96 events have taken place. We’re proud to support USA Climbing in their mission to elevate the sport and look forward to continuing this strong partnership. Explore live results at usac.results.info, learn more about USA Climbing at usaclimbing.org, and discover the Vertical-Life Result Service.

Laura Rogora has had an extraordinary day in Saint Léger, onsighting La ligne claire (8c+), La tournée du patron L1 (8b+) and Abregenief (8b). (c) Jan Novak

Can you tell us more about the 8c+ onsight and how close you were to fall?
I climbed quite well in the first crux and in the traverse, while in the end I had a little bit of hesitation but I was never extremely close to fall maybe.

In July, the Italian climber onsighted Ultimate Sacrifice (8c+), and this year she has onsighted another two 8c’s and a couple of 8b+’s. In practice, this means that the number three in the 2025 Lead World Cup has the best onsight track record of the year. When it comes to All Time High onsights, only Adam Ondra and Alex Megos have more impressive stats.

As for 9a and harder redpoints in 2025, the 24-year-old has sent nine. In other words, Laura is a contender for having the best overall route ticklist of this year.

Lara Trinkl, who previously in 2025 has sent a dozen boulders 8A or 8A+, has completed Crusher sit (8B) in Mixnitz.

Can you tell us more about doing your first 8B?
I tried the stand start a few times in the last one or two years but a few weeks ago decided to just go for the sit, even though I never did the stand. In my opinion it is a better line that just adds one hard move that fit me really well. I was so nervous on the day I sent it because it really felt like I could do it. I am really happy about the send and it means a lot to me.

What are your winter plans?
I just want to spend as much time bouldering outdoors as possible and hopefully try as many good boulders as I can, so no concrete new projects yet 😊

Christopher Cosser, who placed 16th in the Tokyo Olympics, has done Ace of Spades (9a+) in Poptire Cave. The South African did his first two 8C boulders last year, after he retired from the competition scene. Ten weeks ago he sent Creature From the Black Lagoon (8C+) and in September Moonshine (9a). (c) Finn Stack

Can you tell us more about doing your first 9a+?
The process on Ace of Spades started for me in 2021 when I first came to the US. It was actually the first route I got on in the States. Ive tried the route a few days every season, but never invested enough time to see the process through until now. Competition climbing and training for comps kept me preoccupied. Earlier this year I got my Green Card, moved to Colorado, and decided to fully commit myself to climbing outside instead of competing. I fairly quickly was able to put together Creature From the Black Lagoon, and then set my sights on routes. Returning back to Ace was a pretty easy learning curve. Unfortunately since the last time I’d been on it, a couple of key holds had broken, one of them being a crucial foot in the first boulder and the other being a resting hold before the final boulder. Fortunately those breaks didn’t prevent me from doing the route, but made it constantly harder.

Doing Ace of Spades and Creature makes me the first South African to have climbed 5.15a, as well as the first to have climbed v16. I couldn’t have done it without the resources available to me in the US. I’m incredibly proud of where I’m from, and I hope that this can inspire my community back home, who are pushing the local level higher and higher. I’m now back in Colorado, with my eyes set on some stellar routes and boulders nearby.

At the European Cup in Toulouse, France secured all three medals in the men’s category, with Camille Pouget impressively winning each of the three rounds. In the junior events, Italy delivered best results followed by France.

Seniors: Leo Avezou FRA - Camille Pouget FRA
U-19: Gianluca Vighetti ITA - Matilda Moar ITA
U-17: Andrea Chelleris ITA - Rafael Kazbekova UKR
Complete results