Jack MacDougall (Photo World Climbing)
Jack MacDougall of Great Britain, who competed at his first World Championships here in 2023, reaching the men’s Boulder semi-final and placing 16th overall, will be among the climbers looking to make their mark at the World Climbing Series in Bern.
The second Boulder competition of the season and third event overall, following the opening double-header in China – first in Keqiao, then in Wujiang, will kick off this weekend.
A total of 162 athletes are registered to compete – 86 men and 76 women – representing 34 nations across five continents. The event brings another stacked international field to the Swiss capital, which previously hosted the IFSC Climbing and Para Climbing World Championships in August 2023, as well as an IFSC Climbing World Cup in June 2025.
Reflecting on that event, MacDougall immediately pointed to the atmosphere inside the arena as his strongest memory.
“Oh my god, the crowd! It was the biggest arena I’d ever climbed in so it felt like something else,” he said. “Being lucky enough to actually send a couple boulders that round… wow it was so much. I’m definitely looking forward to doing it again this weekend!”
At the following edition of the World Championships, the British climber continued his progression by reaching the men’s Boulder final at Seoul 2025. Now, after placing 15th at the season opener in Keqiao, he is looking for his first final appearance in a World Cup or World Climbing Series event.
“I feel so good! I’ve really worked hard this winter, lots of board climbing, gym work, fingerboard… and I hope it’s paid off,” said the 20-year-old from Leeds. “Hopefully I’ll get some boulders to really show it out here in Bern, because I didn’t put myself through all that weighted Kilter board for nothing!”
MacDougall is widely known for openly showing his emotions during competition, something he says reflects his personality away from the wall as well.
“For sure, I even write ‘feel it all’ as a reminder on my shoes! It would be a crime to live this life without really experiencing it and, for me, the emotional rollercoaster is what it’s all about,” he explained.
ANRAKU, SCHALCK, LEE HEADLINE MEN’S FIELD
The men’s field includes all three medallists from the Boulder opener in Keqiao: Anraku Sorato of Japan, Mejdi Schalck of France, and Lee Dohyun of South Korea. Also returning is defending Bern winner Pan Yufei of China, who claimed the first gold medal of his career in the Swiss capital in 2025.
Asked about recent discussions surrounding a possible shift back toward more traditional, power-focused bouldering, MacDougall said he has started developing a greater appreciation for that style of Climbing.
“I’m definitely starting to find a new appreciation for a power bloc!” he said. “I love bashing around on some shiny holds on a steep wall now. I’m still working on making friends with those crimps though…”
WOMEN’S FIELD MIXES EXPERIENCE AND NEW TALENT
The women’s competition features a blend of established names and emerging climbers, led by Keqiao gold medallist Zélia Avezou of France and bronze medallist Oceania Mackenzie of Australia.
Home supporters will also follow experienced Swiss climber Sofya Yokoyama, who is set to make her 36th career Boulder appearance in a World Cup or World Climbing Series event.
Among the younger athletes to watch are two Slovenian climbers who already impressed at European level earlier this year: 20-year-old Lina Funa, who claimed gold in Kaunas, and Neza Zajc, silver medallist in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia.
