Garnbret reaches climbing final relaxed after dominant day in Koper

Janja Garnbret finished the first day of the lead climbing World Series in Koper exactly where she wanted: at the top. She led the qualifications and kept first place in the semifinal, even though she stopped a few holds short of the route’s summit.

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The feelings are great. We know that days with qualifications in the morning and the semifinal in the evening are not my favorite because the day is extremely long, but I am very satisfied with my semifinal climbing.

The 27-year-old Slovenian was the only competitor, among both women and men, to climb both qualification routes to the top. Her semifinal result of 45+ was enough to secure first place and, more importantly to her, came with a feeling of control.

“I climbed really easily, in simple terms I walked up the route,” Garnbret said. She praised her pace and mindset, saying those elements mattered most to her. With the final ahead, she said she could climb without worry.

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I climbed really easily, in simple terms I walked up the route. I had a very good pace and the right mindset, which is the most important thing to me.

Rosa Rekar will join her in the final after recording the third-best semifinal result at 44+. The 20-year-old from Most pri Žirovnici finished seventh in Koper a year ago. Six of Slovenia’s 12 competitors reached the semifinals, but only Garnbret and Rekar advanced to the final eight.

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I want the fans to bring lots of good cheer, lots of support and good energy, so we can have fun and create a great climbing spectacle together.

Garnbret has asked the home crowd to bring plenty of enthusiasm, support and positive energy for Saturday’s final, which begins at 8 p.m. She also wants a demanding route that allows every finalist to show what she has trained. Garnbret is chasing a fourth consecutive victory in Koper and a sixth win at home events overall. She has remained unbeaten in Koper since 2023, has a record 32 lead-climbing victories and reached her 50th World Cup win in June.

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As always, I want a beautiful, difficult route so every girl can show what she has trained.