There’s a new Italian star in bouldering that European rivals should keep an eye on: 17-year-old Stella Giacani from Ancona. At the first stage of the Bouldering European Cup in Munich, she delivered an excellent performance, securing a well-deserved spot among the top 8 finalists.

In the qualifications, led by France’s Abriat, followed by Spain’s Macià Martín and Germany’s Apel, Giacani claimed an impressive sixth place, achieving four tops, including three flash climbs. The other Italian competitors stopped at the qualifiers: Miriam Fogu finished 30th, Leonie Hofer 32nd, and Matilda Liù Moar 36th.

In the semifinals, Giacani put on a stellar performance, finishing second, the only climber to secure two flash tops. Abriat remained in first place, while Germany’s Hönig took third.

Unfortunately, in the final, Stella couldn’t replicate her semifinal performance, failing to secure any tops and managing only three zones, which weren’t enough to climb the rankings. She finished in eighth place, but with the awareness that she is absolutely on par with the podium finishers. More chances will surely come to prove her worth and fight for a medal.

The gold went to Germany’s Hönig, silver to Austria’s Oblasser, and bronze to Germany’s Dörffel.

On the men’s side, Austrian Raffael Gruber led the qualifications, followed by Italy’s Michael Piccolruaz, Britain’s Jack McDougall, and Austria’s Julian Wimmer. The other three Italian climbers, Niccolò Antony Salvatore, Davide Marco Colombo, and Mattia Salvatore, didn’t advance to the semifinals.

With a strong qualification round, Piccolruaz reached the semifinals, where he secured four zones, but it wasn’t enough to make the top 8 finalists, finishing in 14th place.