Ice Worlds: Canada in Semis, Iran Makes History with Win

This past weekend saw a Canadian make semis at the Ice Climbing World Cup in Corvara in Val Passiria for the second stop of the 2018 circuit

Noah Beek of B.C. finished in first an impressive Qualifications in his category. After Semis, ended up in 17th.

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The big news was a win for Mohammadreza Safdarian Korouyeh in Male Lead, he became the first Iranian ever to win a stage.

He finished third at the first World Cup of the year in Switzerland.

Han Na Rai Song dominated the Female category for Lead with another win and her third straight in Corvara.

“I would like to thank all our volunteers without whom this event would not have been possible: Volunteers, Clubs, and of course the Guardia di Finanza Merano, who have all supported us over the two days of the competition,” said Reinhard Graf, the chair of the organizing committee.

“Corvara may be the smallest place organizing this World Cup, but it is also the most beautiful,” said Nils Glatthard of the UIAA. Full results here.

Mohammadreza Korouyeh Safdarian made history on Saturday evening becoming the first Iranian athlete to win a UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup gold medal. The best performer in Saturday afternoon’s semi-finals, Safdarian continued his impressive, composed and calculated form into the Final itself. The last climber to attack the ice wall of Rabenstein, Safdarian fell when one clip from topping the route with a sixty seconds to go, a feat which guaranteed the 25-year old a gold medal. South Korea’s Kwon YoungHye claimed bronze with Alexey Tomilov earning silver and in the process bettering his fourth position last weekend in Saas-Fee. Reigning World Tour champion Hannarai Song again took gold in the women’s competition. Repeating the podium of Saas-Fee, the South Korean finished ahead of compatriot Woonseon Shin and Russia’s Maria Tolokonina. A full report will be available on Sunday 28 January. Image copyright: UIAA/Patrick Schwienbacher. #uiaaiceclimbing @narai0701 @maria_tolokonina @patrick.schwienbacher.photo @sunnyo.0

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