The second stage of the Bouldering World Cup 2009 was held in Austria’s Hall last weekend. Kilian Fischhuber won the men’s event, while Anna Stohr (AUT) and Akiyo Noguchi (JPN) won female gold.

Anna Stöhr cutting loose and cutting-edge

 
Kilian Fischhuber clinches victory in Hall

For the third year running Kilian Fischhuber won his home competition, the bouldering cup in Hall. After a disappointing start in Japan a fortnight ago where he produced his worst performance of his career (23rd), Fischhuber set the record straight and proved just why he won the World Cup 2008 by clinching victory ahead of an incredible Gabriele Moroni. Just one attempt separated him from the 21 year old Italian who missed out on victory for the third time – his second places in Vail 2008, Fiera di Primiero 2007 and now Hall are a certain sign that the time is ripe for his first ever victory. Moroni and Fischhuber will certainly have to look out though for the eagerly awaited new-entry, in the form of Adam Ondra who in his first senior comp placed third, with just three attempts more than Moroni.

The women’s event went down to the wire with the first ever superfinal and joint equal in bouldering history. Anna St?hr and Akiyo Noguchi were perfectly equal after the semifinal and even the four problems in the final failed to produce a winner. To separate the two the route setters were forced to set another problem, the super final. Suspense was enormous and the problem perhaps slightly too easy as both the Japanese and the Austrian sent it first go, paving the way for the first-ever ex aequo in bouldering competitions. What is certain is that this battle for supremacy between these two athletes will be this season’s Leitmotiv. The next stage in Vienna will be another gruelling duel to the top!