Adam Ondra and Czech bouldering female champion Arina Jurčenko are already looking forward to the World Cup in lead climbing and bouldering at Štvanice in Prague. At a press conference following a brief break from bouldering, Adam praised his shoulders, which are finally in shape after a long period of hard climbing.

He also admitted that he feels healthier than he has in the last five years and that he is actively preparing for the competition in Arco, Italy, where he has gone to train with his family. He revealed that his son Hugo attends a local preschool there and has become friends with other climbers’ families.

"I would love to compete in the finals in front of a home crowd, because the atmosphere at Štvanice will be fantastic," said Adam, adding that he has great maximum strength from bouldering, which he now needs to convert into endurance to be ready for lead climbing. The competition wall will be approximately 17 meters high. "I do very well on a 12-meter wall, but I don’t do as well on a 17-meter one," he admitted.

"The level of competition on the rope has risen tremendously in recent years. What was enough for the finals five years ago might not even be enough for the semifinals today," he added.

He will be competing on home soil at the World Cup in lead climbing for the first time in 17 long years. Back then in Brno, as a 16-year-old boy, he ultimately finished in 11th place. But even then, it was clear that he possessed enormous talent.

Young competitor Arina Jurčenko thoroughly enjoyed last year’s Letná event and is also looking forward to Štvanice, where she will compete in both climbing disciplines. “I don’t have any specific goals, but I’d like to make it to the semifinals. Most of all, I want to enjoy the atmosphere of the competition and the beautiful waterside setting of Štvanice," Arina revealed.

Also absent from the press conference was our national team member Lukáš Mokroluský, who took 5th place this weekend at this year’s first European Cup in bouldering in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The World Cup in Prague from June 3–7 will have a new look. Due to organizational reasons, the competition is moving from Letná to Štvanice Island. The organizers chose the new location for better facilities and increased safety for both climbers and fans. Bouldering and lead climbing will take place on both sides of the Negrelli Viaduct. Lead climbing will be held in a closed tennis arena, and bouldering outdoors in the park. Štvanice will offer spectators a unique experience in the more compact setting of the Vltava River.

There are 36 days left until the World Cup; here is the schedule:

WORLD CLIMBING SERIES PRAGUE 2026 Schedule
June 3, Wednesday – bouldering qualifiers
Thursday, June 4 – Lead Qualifying
Friday, June 5 – Men’s Bouldering Semifinals + Finals
Saturday, June 6 – Women’s Bouldering Semifinals + Finals
Sunday, June 7 – Lead Semifinals + Finals

More on the World Climbing Series website: www.worldclimbingseries.cz


From the website:

Accompanying program for the public in the Fan Zone (free admission next to the bouldering area):

The event will not only feature world-class climbers, including Adam Ondra, but will also actively involve visitors. The fan zone will feature a bouldering wall open to the public, offering challenges for both beginners and advanced climbers (difficulty levels V2–V10). Participants can log their climbs using the Climblife app and enter a contest for valuable prizes. Jungle Letňany will organize additional challenges and activities.

For relaxation, the Vlny Štvanice zone will be ideal, offering the chance to try paddleboarding right on the Vltava River. A more laid-back atmosphere will be provided by the picnic zone, featuring refreshments and a supporting program of lectures.