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Ice Climbing World Cup 2018 Calendar

The UIAA has put in place the provisional calendar for the 2018 UIAA Ice Climbing season. The 2018 World Tour, partnered by The North Face Korea, will comprise five World Cup events in as many countries on two different continents.

The season opens in the magnificent and unique ice climbing dome of Saas Fee, Switzerland and closes in the ice climbing paradise that is Kirov, Russia. Three Continental Championships are also planned.

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The Asian and European championships will feature as part of the Cheongsong and Kirov legs of the World Tour respectively, while the North American Championships will be a separate event and opens the international calendar.

In its constant quest to evolve the sport, the UIAA Ice Climbing Commission is proposing an innovative new competition format – the Combined World Championships. This new format will be limited to three female and three male athletes from each nation.

This exciting new challenge will provide a glance at the future of UIAA ice climbing competitions, rewarding athletes versatile in both lead and speed. Further details on this format as well as the hosting venue for this event will be communicated in early September.

The 2018 season also comprises ice climbing’s presence as a showcase sport at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang as well as the annual World Youth Championships.

This year, a first edition of the European Tour will be launched and currently comprises four European Cups, commencing in Domzale, Slovenia and closing in Oulu, Finland shortly before the World Cup Finals & European Championships in Kirov, Russia.

The smaller scale events provide athletes with the opportunity to train and compete prior to UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup events. Another exciting new development will be the awarding of a UIAA Ice Climbing World Tour trophy, presented to the highest ranking male and female athletes at the close of the season.

World Cup events
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Saas Fee (Switzerland) – 18-20 January, 2018
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Rabenstein (Italy) – 26-28 January, 2018
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Beijing (China) – Dates TBC
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Cheongsong (South Korea) – 9-11 February, 2018
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup Kirov (Russia) – 9-11 March, 2018

UIAA Continental Championships
North American Championships, Location and Dates TBC
Asian Championships, Cheongsong (South Korea) – 9-11 February, 2018**
European Championships, Kirov (Russia) – 9-11 March, 2018**
**Part of World Tour event

2018 UIAA Combined World Championships
Dates and Location TBC

2018 XXIII Olympic Winter Games
PyeongChang (South Korea) – 9-25 February

UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships
Location TBC, 5-7 January

European Tour
European Cup Lead Domzale (Slovenia) – 2 December, 2017
European Cup Bratislava (Slovakia) – 9 December, 2017
European Cup Champagny/Pays des Ecrins (France) – 11-13 January, 2018
European Cup Oulu (Finland) – Dates TBC

*Please note this calendar is subject to change

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