Janja Garnbret of Slovenia topped both qualification routes to take first place in the women\u2019s Lead qualification at the World Climbing Series Santiago, setting the pace ahead of today\u2019s semi-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two-time Olympic champion was the only climber in the field to reach the top of either route, finishing the round in commanding fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Belgium\u2019s Helo\u00efse Doumont claimed second place, while Japan demonstrated its depth with five climbers progressing to the semi-final. Among those joining the top 24 was home favourite Martina Castro, who secured the final available spot and will compete in her first semi-final at her fifth overall start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doumont put together two strong performances to finish second overall, scoring 46 on the first route before reaching 35+ on the second. The Belgian was pleased with her opening climb, although she acknowledged that she could have done better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first route one was really cool. I made some mistakes, of course, but I could find every move,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her second climb proved more challenging, with the Belgian struggling to find comfortable positions on the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn my second climb, I didn\u2019t feel great. It was complicated for me to find a good position. I also had the feeling that the holds were a little bit wet, but it\u2019s okay, it\u2019s the same for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Austria\u2019s Mattea P\u00f6tzi also made the most of the first route, scoring 44+ before adding 30 on the second to secure 15th place and a spot in the semi-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Competing in South America for the first time, P\u00f6tzi admitted that the chilly morning conditions came as a surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo be honest, I was expecting warmer temperatures, so I was a bit surprised that it was so cold in the morning. My fingers didn\u2019t get too cold, and I had a good fight on my first qualification route. I fell at a hard move,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P\u00f6tzi felt equally comfortable at the start of her second climb, but a slip brought her attempt to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn the second route I still felt super good, and then my foot slipped and I couldn\u2019t catch it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan once again showcased its strength in women\u2019s Lead, placing five climbers inside the top 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Koika Hana led the Japanese contingent in sixth place, followed by Nakagawa Ryu in eighth. Nonaka Miho finished joint ninth, with Oda Natsumi in 13th and Kobayashi Mai in 19th to complete an impressive team performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final semi-final spot went to Chile\u2019s Martina Castro, who made it through in 24th place to the delight of the home crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At her fifth overall start, Castro will now compete in her first semi-final round, marking a significant milestone in her international career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Janja Garnbret of Slovenia topped both qualification routes to take first place in the women\u2019s Lead qualification at<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[144,102],"class_list":["post-16985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsbeat","tag-lead","tag-sport-climbing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t