Pavel Batushev sets a Speed record in Busteni, Romania

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Pavel Batushev of Russia set a Speed record of 7.77 seconds in Busteni. (Photo: Lukasz Warzecha / UIAA)

A Speed record by Russia’s Pavel Batushev was the big story out of the 2013 UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour stop in Busteni, Romania.

Batushev’s blistering run up the 15 metre wall obliterated the previous record of 8.74 seconds held by his colleague Pavel Gulyaev.

Other highlights from the competition held under wintery and snowy conditions included the a powerful finish by the always colourful HeeYong Park of Korea who came first in Men’s Lead and a flawless first place Lead climb by Lucie Hrozova of the Czech Republic.

The victory was sweet for Hrozova, one of the stronger climbers in the tour, because in recent competitions she has consistently placed behind climbers such as Angelika Rainer (Italy) and Maria Tolokonina (Russia).

Lucy Hrzova of the Czech Republic wins the Women's Lead in Busteni (Photo: Lukasz Warzecha / UIAA)

Meanwhile, Park’s win cemented his lead for the first place as overall Lead champion of this year’s tour which ends in Kirov next month.

While Maxim won in Saas Fee, Switzerland and Rabenstein, Italy, a poor showing in Cheongsong, Korea means that he is still behind Park setting up the stage for a final showdown in Kirov.

Check www.theuiaa.org/ice_climbing_2013 for final results.