Asolo, 29 May 2026 – The IFSC Boulder World Cup in Bern, Switzerland, marked the first European stop of the 2026 international circuit, bringing together many of the world’s top climbers for three days of elite competition from 22–24 May.
Hosted in one of Europe’s preeminent climbing venues, the Bern event featured Boulder discipline competitions for both men and women, with qualification rounds on Friday, semi-finals on the weekend mornings, and finals held in front of packed crowds on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
SCARPA athletes delivered standout performances across both categories, earning one victory, one silver medal, and a top-10 finish in the women’s competition, alongside a bronze medal in the men’s.
Women’s Competition
Oceania Mackenzie (AUS) – 1st Place
Oceania Mackenzie delivered a supreme performance in Bern, taking her maiden IFSC Boulder World Cup gold medal, as well as the first Boulder World Cup victory ever achieved by an Australian climber.
Mackenzie topped three boulders in the women’s final—the only competitor to complete the first—and demonstrated impressive composure throughout a demanding round. Her victory follows a steady progression on the international circuit, including previous World Cup podium appearances and a bronze medal earlier this season in Keqiao.
Erin McNeice (GBR) – 2nd Place
Erin McNeice continued her rise on the international circuit with a silver medal finish in Bern.
At just 22 years old, McNeice has rapidly become one of the most promising all-around climbers in the IFSC field. The athlete from Chesterfield has consistently delivered strong performances across both Boulder and Lead disciplines in recent seasons, including multiple finals appearances and podium finishes in 2025 and 2026.
McNeice was the only climber to reach all four zones, but a lack of tops for the first two boulders left her 5.5 points behind winner, Mackenzie.
Oriane Bertone (FRA) – 7th Place
French climber Oriane Bertone secured another World Cup final appearance with a 7th-place finish in Bern.
Already recognized as one of the sport’s standout young talents, Bertone has built a strong reputation for her technical precision and explosive style on modern competition boulders. Despite the depth of the women’s field, she once again demonstrated her consistency by reaching the final round at a major international event.
Men’s Competition
Hannes Van Duysen (BEL) 3rd Place
Belgian climber Hannes Van Duysen secured a podium finish, taking the bronze medal with an impressive performance in the men’s Boulder final.
The “Slab King” finished behind Sorato Anraku (JPN) and Mejdi Schalck (FRA) after a highly competitive final round featuring some of the strongest male climbers on the circuit.
The result reaffirms Van Duysen’s consistency at the highest level of international competition. Known for his powerful and dynamic climbing style, he has steadily established himself among the world’s leading boulder specialists over recent seasons.
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