The focal point of the event are the two open-air competitions: Lead Duel and KO Boulder—a thrilling showdown like no other. The stars of these challenges are 8 male and 8 female athletes, among the strongest in the world, handpicked by the organizers.
8 climbers and 4 boulders
8 climbers. 4 boulders. The boulder competition takes place on the brand-new wall. During the practice session, athletes can test the problems, and route setters can make final tweaks to create truly spectacular moves. The competition unfolds over four rounds. In each round, athletes have three attempts to send the boulder by reaching the top. After each round, a ranking is determined based on the highest point reached and the number of attempts. In the event of a tie, results from previous rounds are considered. After the first and second boulders, two athletes are eliminated each time. Another climber is knocked out after the third boulder, leaving the final three to battle it out on the last problem. The winner? The one who tops out! This fast-paced format is packed with rhythm, suspense, and surprises, building to a thrilling crescendo as the last boulder determines the Boulder podium.
The Duel takes place on the iconic Lead wall of the Climbing Stadium—the great overhanging wave, a symbol of sport climbing.
This electrifying mix of high difficulty and speed challenges climbers to cover 25 meters of overhang in just over a minute. It’s all about tactics, determination, speed, explosiveness, action, and the drive to battle until the very last hold.
The first section features a more consistent angle, where climbers often leap dynamically from hold to hold. But the real showdown happens on the great overhanging wave, where feet climb above heads, and climbers cling to just millimeters of rock, racing to break free from the overhang and slam the TOP button first.
Athletes compete on two identical, parallel routes of extreme difficulty. The first to reach the top wins. After an initial qualification round to determine matchups, climbers face off in head-to-head elimination rounds until the final duel for the title.
Some of the most unforgettable battles in climbing history have played out on the Lead Duel wall.
Jakob Schubert vs. Adam Ondra (2016 and 2019): in 2016, the Czech climber triumphed with a final burst on the great overhang of Rock Master. In 2019, the Austrian turned the tables, winning on the very last hold in a breathtaking finale.
Adam Ondra vs. Marcello Bombardi (2017) Ondra shattered records, becoming the first climber to finish under a minute in a thrilling duel against the Italian.
Adam Ondra vs. Sean McColl (2018): a nail-biter decided by mere fractions of a second, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Adam Ondra vs. Jakob Schubert (2023): the ultimate showdown. With a sprint to the final holds, Ondra ignited the crowd and cemented this duel as a defining moment in Rock Master history.
The women’s competition has delivered no less excitement.
Jessica Pilz vs. Vita Lukan: a move-for-move battle decided by the smallest margin, with the Austrian claiming victory in a heart-stopping finale.
Janja Garnbret vs. Brooke Raboutou (2023): though Garnbret was the favorite, Raboutou pushed the Olympic champion to her limits in an intense showdown that thrilled the crowd to the very last move.
Ticket