Great Britain’s Erin McNeice clinched a career third IFSC World Cup gold medal and her first in the boulder with her triumph in Bern, Switzerland, on Saturday (14 June).
McNeice topped all four problems for a winning score of 99.5 points to beat teenage sensation Annie Sanders. Sanders had to settle for second place on 84.4 with Japanese stalwart and Olympic sport climbing silver medallist Nonaka Miho taking third place with 84.3.
The British climber was one of only two climbers to conquer the third boulder, which swung the competition in her favour.
Seven of the women successfully navigated to the top of the problems with Sanders flashing both to take the early lead.
The 17-year-old Sander battled on the third problem before she found her groove again in the fourth and final boulder. She watched nervously as McNeice approached the wall, knowing that a top would guarantee victory.
That is exactly what the 21-year-old McNeice did to secure her first boulder title at the World Cup, becoming the first British woman to win more than one discipline. She also won two lead competitions at the beginning of the season.
“I am happy, elated, and quite shocked. It just feels so good,” McNeice told the IFSC afterwards.
“It feels pretty good to get a gold in both. It is a massive long-term goal for me, and it feels so good to tick it off.”
The climbing action from Bern continues on Sunday with the men’s semi-finals and final, which will be broadcast live on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions may apply).
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2025-06-14 17:05:31