Day Two in Kirov: Alexy Tomilov knocked out finals, the young rise in Lead and Russian dominance complete in Speed

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The climbing wall in Kirov (Photo: Lukasz Warzecha / UIAA)

Russian prowess in Speed was demonstrated in Kirov today with a complete sweep by Russian competitors for tomorrow's Men and Women Speed final.

But in the lead discipline it was a different story.

The highlights include:

• Alexey Tomilov of Russia was knocked out of the Lead finals although his brother Maxim is leading going into tomorrow's final with his main rival Park Hee Yong in third place. Park needs at least a second place showing in the final to have a shot at the title of overall champion.
• Janez Svoljšak of Slovenia who is only 19 years old and showing great promise as a competitor qualified for his first final which is commendable in a field of such strong candidates.
• The strong performance Woon Seon Shin (Korea) which propelled her into first place entering the women's Lead final with Angelika Rainer (Italy) and Maria Tolokonina (Russia) in second and third place. Rainer who has had a fabulous season needs at least a second place performance to have a shot to be crowned overall champion on Sunday.
• Lucie Hrozova (Czech Republic), the UIAA's newest Lead champion when she won in Busteni, Romania this year managed to enter the final despite being ill and suffering from an infection.
• Dissapointment when Dennis Van Hoek, the Dutch darling of Saas Fee failed to qualify for the men's Speed final.

Men's Speed semi-finals in Kirov (Photo: Lukasz Warzecha / UIAA)

Schedule for the final on Sunday, 10 March

09.00 Isolation men and women final lead open
09.30 Isolation closed
09.40 Route preview women
09.50 Route preview men
10.20 Start final (women – men)

15.00 Speed duel final start
17.00 Award ceremony

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