In Innsbruck, the athletes have the opportunity to test the new Olympic format - in Paris 2024, bouldering and lead will be held as a combined event, and speed will be a separate discipline. Most athletes are very happy about this, but this format is extremely demanding. According to head coach Fabian Leu, most of the Austrian Olympic squad will compete in both disciplines. This means four competition days in a row for the men in Innsbruck and also for the women only one day break between the bouldering and lead events.
For Jessica Pilz, who has chosen Innsbruck, the home World Cup is associated with mixed feelings. After a fabulous qualifying round last year and a slip-up in the first moves, the dream of lead gold in front of the home crowd was suddenly over - that's how close success and disappointment are in climbing. The level of the top athletes is getting closer and closer, which of course means potential excitement for the spectators, but also enormous pressure for the athletes. The smallest mistake can mean an exit even before the semifinals. For Jessy Pilz the anticipation of the upcoming World Cup in Innsbruck prevails, she feels fit, well prepared and wants to show this year in front of many familiar faces what she has got.