Samuel Pernthaler, Fritz Engele, Leonie Hofer, and Matilda Moar (from left to right). © AVS

First Lead Italian Cup as a good test

The first national lead competition of the year, featuring a prominent field of participants, took place this weekend in Casalecchio (Bologna). The eight AVS athletes who participated achieved eight successes, with Matilda Moar achieving fourth place as the best.

14 April 2025

From: pm

Two young men and six women athletes from AVS clubs competed in the "Level 2" indoor arena in Casalecchio. They competed against Italy's best climbers. This was the first national lead competition of the year, making it a good test for the upcoming World Cup season for the pros and the first qualifying event for the youth.

On Saturday, the qualification was held on two routes; four South Tyrolean athletes reached the semifinals of the best 4: Matilda Moar, Leoni Hofer, Fritz Engele, and Samuel Pernthaler. Also in the semifinals were three South Tyroleans who no longer compete for the AVS: Filip Schenk from Val Gardena (Fiamme Oro), Bettina Dorfmann from Bressanone (Climbing Side Roma), and Miriam Peer from Merano (SSd Onsight). The semifinals were held on Sunday morning; they featured high-intensity routes with difficult single moves.

For Leonie Hofer, Fritz Engele and Samuel Pernthaler it was all over in the semi-finals, Matilda Moar qualified for the final of the best 8 and finished the competition in 4th place – the best of her career in lead climbing so far.