Innsbruck, Austria, hosted its fifth consecutive IFSC Climbing World Cup from June 25 to 29 at Kletterzentrum Innsbruck — the world’s largest climbing gym. More than 185 athletes from 42 countries and territories competed against the stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps. 13 athletes from Team USA competed in both Lead and Boulder, including Olympians Colin Duffy and Jesse Grupper.

Annie Sanders, Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper and Adriene Akiko Clark all advanced to Semi-Finals, with Sanders, Duffy, and Grupper ultimately securing spots in Finals.

Grupper Has Standout Performance in Lead Semi-Finals and Finals

In Semi-Finals, Olympian Jesse Grupper was strategic about every move he made, switching quickly from one hold to another. Grupper appeared confident the entire way until he was the only athlete left on the wall. With just one minute remaining, Grupper looked back at the audience with a smile before jumping for the second-to-last hold. This high point undoubtedly pushed him into Finals.

Grupper fought impressively on his Finals route but fell while crossing from one pocket to another. After a few seconds of fighting to stay on with no foothold, he fell, finishing Finals in eighth place. His last IFSC World Cup finals appearance was in Koper in 2023.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Colin Duffy, who placed 30th after recently competing in Boulder Finals, and Sergey Lakhno, who placed 32nd.

Sanders Thrills Crowd in Lead Finals

Annie Sanders approached the wall during Semi-Finals as the sky darkened over the Austrian Alps. Her performance was seamless — at one point holding a sloper with a two-finger drag before resting in a strenuous toe hook where Adriene Akiko Clark had previously used a heel hook.

In Finals, after one full minute on the wall, Sanders reached the crux. She matched hands, cut her feet, and used all her momentum to campus herself to a jug as the crowd roared. Sanders continued climbing until the 47-second mark, finishing Finals in fifth place.

During Adriene Akiko Clark’s Semi-Final round, she saved herself from a foot slip and used her strong technique to finish in 15th place.

Also representing Team USA in the qualification round were Ella Fisher, who tied for 35th with one other athlete, and Maya Madere, who tied for 63rd with one other athlete.

Sanders Leads Women’s Category for Team USA in Boulder Finals

After tying for first in the Qualification round, Annie Sanders stayed ahead in Semi-Finals with her standout move coming on W2. Going feet-first to the zone, Sanders followed her feet slowly before getting upright to the finish. Sanders gave a look of relief when she topped — an unusual sight from the typically stoic climber.

Sanders was challenged again in Finals by moves that demanded intense focus and strategy. W1 required a hand jam between two wooden volumes, which Sanders attempted to hold in every way possible. Her high endurance allowed her to down-climb and rest for nearly a minute as if she were climbing a lead route. Her highlight in Finals came on W3, when she topped while balancing on a small foot chip.

Sanders finished Finals in sixth place with one top and two zones.

With the Boulder World Cup Series now completed, Sanders finished 3rd overall.

Also competing in Semi-Finals was Adriene Akiko Clark, who perfectly executed a double-foot lunge on W1 before quickly resetting to top the problem. Clark finished the round in 20th with one top and one zone.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Helen Gillett in 30th, just ahead of Cloe Coscoy who finished in 31st place, tied with three other athletes. Nekaia Sanders followed closely behind in 35th. Finally, Ella Fisher finished in 43rd tied with two other athletes.

Duffy Leads Men’s Category for Team USA in Boulder Finals

Fresh off his performance at Bern, Olympian Colin Duffy reached a similar standing in Boulder Semi-Finals through intense heat and pressure. M1 was especially technical, with every individual move requiring an entirely different skillset. Duffy didn’t seem to have much of a problem when on his fourth attempt and seconds before the buzzer, he completed the two-part coordination dyno to the finish. After a deserved celebration from the crowd, the successful attempt bumped Duffy from 18th to 12th place. Only three other athletes completed the same move—all of them eventual podium finishers.

Duffy ended Semi-Finals in 16th after achieving one more zone on M4.

Also representing Team USA in the Qualification round were Vail Everett in 45th tied with one other athlete, Benjamin Hanna in 63rd tied with six others, and Joshua Gerhardt in 105th tied with one other athlete.

Full results from the IFSC Climbing World Cup Innsbruck 2025 can be found here. You can rewatch the Finals on the IFSC YouTube Channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action.