Britain's McNeice Wins World Cup Bouldering in Alcobendas

British climber Erin McNeice claimed victory at the World Cup bouldering competition in Alcobendas, Spain, delivering a spectacular performance in the final round. This win avenges her second-place finish from the previous week in Bern.

McNeice faced intense pressure in the final block, needing to achieve a 'top' – successfully completing the climb – to overtake Japan's Melody Sekikawa, who had taken the lead with 84.5 points after completing her final problem on the first attempt. McNeice trailed Sekikawa by just over ten points, meaning a 'zone' (partial completion) would not be enough for the win.

Far from being intimidated, the 22-year-old McNeice thrived under the pressure. She not only reached the top but did so on her very first try, earning 25 points to secure the championship title in Madrid with a total of 99.1 points. This consistent performance was evident from the preliminary round, where McNeice also led the field by completing all five problems on her initial attempts.

Although she didn't replicate her perfect preliminary round in the semifinals, where France's Oriane Bertone edged her out by a tenth of a point despite McNeice also topping four blocks, the final saw the climber known as "McBeast" reaffirm her status as the most consistent competitor. Despite needing eight attempts for the third problem, her flawless execution of the final climb showcased her strength and technique, securing her the gold medal.