The IFSC European Championships 2024 took place in the picturesque town of Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, from August 27 to September 1. This prestigious event saw top athletes competing in Speed, Boulder, Lead, and the combined Boulder & Lead disciplines. Villars 2024 was also historic, marking the first time para-athletes competed for medals at the European Championships, further broadening the horizons of the competition.
Speed Finals
The Speed discipline saw fierce competition with incredibly fast times from both men and women.
Men’s Speed
Italy’s Ludovico Fossali triumphed, finishing with a time of 5.74 seconds, followed by compatriot Matteo Zurloni and Spain’s Erik Noya Cardona, who earned bronze. Fossali’s consistent performances cemented his reputation as one of the best speed climbers in Europe.
Women’s Speed
Poland’s Natalia Kalucka showed exceptional speed, taking home the gold with a time of 6.98 seconds. Her compatriot Patrycja Chudziak secured the silver medal, while Italy’s Giulia Randi claimed bronze. It was a dominant performance by the Polish team in the Speed category.
Boulder Finals
The Boulder discipline brought thrilling performances, with athletes pushing their physical and mental limits to overcome challenging routes.
Men’s Boulder
France’s Sam Avezou clinched the gold medal with a performance marked by 2 tops and 4 zones, showcasing his prowess and consistency. He was followed by Great Britain’s Maximillian Milne (silver) and Dayan Akhtar (bronze), completing a strong showing by the British team.
Women’s Boulder
Naïlé Meignan of France proved unstoppable in the women’s competition, achieving 3 tops and 4 zones to secure the gold medal. Israel’s Ayala Kerem and France’s Agathe Calliet finished second and third, respectively, making for a podium packed with talent.
Lead Finals
In the Lead discipline, climbers showed incredible endurance and technique, scaling long, complex routes to determine the champions.
Men’s Lead
Switzerland’s Sascha Lehmann delivered a stellar performance on home soil, taking the gold medal with a score of 45+. He narrowly beat France’s Sam Avezou (silver), with Spain’s Guillermo Peinado Franganillo earning bronze. Lehmann’s victory was a highlight for the Swiss team, much to the delight of the local fans.
Women’s Lead
Italy’s Laura Rogora showcased her brilliance once again, claiming the gold with an outstanding climb. Ukraine’s Ievgeniia Kazbekova earned the silver medal, while Lynn van der Meer from the Netherlands took home the bronze, rounding out a podium of world-class talent.
Combined Boulder & Lead Finals
The combined event tested athletes’ versatility across both Boulder and Lead disciplines, requiring a blend of power, strategy, and endurance.
Men’s Combined Boulder & Lead
France’s Sam Avezou displayed remarkable consistency across both Boulder and Lead, securing gold with a combined score of 183.8. Switzerland’s Sascha Lehmann and Jonas Utelli earned silver and bronze, respectively, showcasing Switzerland’s strength in the combined discipline.
Women’s Combined Boulder & Lead
Italy’s Laura Rogora continued her gold-winning streak, taking the top spot in the women’s combined event with 155.6 points. Ukraine’s Ievgeniia Kazbekova earned silver, while France’s Zélia Avezou claimed bronze, highlighting her impressive versatility across climbing disciplines.
Top 3 Results for Each Discipline
| Discipline | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Speed | Ludovico Fossali (Italy) | Matteo Zurloni (Italy) | Erik Noya Cardona (Spain) |
| Women’s Speed | Natalia Kalucka (Poland) | Patrycja Chudziak (Poland) | Giulia Randi (Italy) |
| Men’s Boulder | Sam Avezou (France) | Maximillian Milne (Great Britain) | Dayan Akhtar (Great Britain) |
| Women’s Boulder | Naïlé Meignan (France) | Ayala Kerem (Israel) | Agathe Calliet (France) |
| Men’s Lead | Sascha Lehmann (Switzerland) | Sam Avezou (France) | Guillermo Peinado Franganillo (Spain) |
| Women’s Lead | Laura Rogora (Italy) | Ievgeniia Kazbekova (Ukraine) | Lynn van der Meer (Netherlands) |
| Men’s Combined | Sam Avezou (France) | Sascha Lehmann (Switzerland) | Jonas Utelli (Switzerland) |
| Women’s Combined | Laura Rogora (Italy) | Ievgeniia Kazbekova (Ukraine) | Zélia Avezou (France) |
Conclusion
The IFSC European Championships 2024 in Villars-sur-Ollon proved to be an exhilarating event, with some of the best climbers in Europe delivering unforgettable performances across all disciplines. Both established champions and emerging talents made their mark, and the competition showcased the ever-growing popularity and excitement of climbing on the global stage.
