2026 World Climbing Bern Women’s Bouldering: Oceania Takes Home First Ever Gold Medal

2026 World Climbing Bern Women’s Bouldering

On May 23, the 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering competition delivered a full day of elite climbing, featuring a thrilling semi-final followed by a great final. As the second bouldering event of the season, the competition provided an early opportunity for athletes to move up in the rankings at the renowned BernExpo in Switzerland.

Throughout the 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering competition, climbers were tested by a diverse set of boulders that combined power, technical skill, coordination, and problem-solving ability. With every attempt carrying significant weight, athletes were forced to balance precision and skill under intense pressure. Here’s a closer look at the standout performances, key moments, and final results from the 2026 World Climbing Bern Women’s Boulder competition.

---

Women’s Bouldering Semi-Final

The 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering semi-final got off to a spectacular start when France’s Lucile Saurel flashed the opening boulder with apparent ease, immediately setting the tone for a highly competitive afternoon. Saurel maintained her strong form throughout the round, ultimately finishing fifth and comfortably securing her place in the final.

The standout performance of the semi-final came from USA’s Annie Sanders. She delivered a dominant display, topping all four boulders and demonstrating exceptional coordination, technical precision, and endurance. She was the only athlete in the field to complete the second boulder, a problem that challenged competitors with a difficult jump to the finishing hold. Her commanding performance earned her the top position heading into the final and established her as one of the favorites for the podium.

Close behind Sanders was fellow teammate Brooke Raboutou, who put together a strong and confident semi-final performance. Bern marked a welcome return to form for Raboutou after a disappointing result in Keqiao, where she missed out on placing in the final. Her performance in Switzerland showcased both her resilience and experience, as she successfully rebounded to secure a place among the event’s top contenders.

The semi final round featured a variety of powerful and technical challenges that tested every aspect of an athlete’s skill set. With several climbers producing standout performances and the field tightly contested, the stage was set for a thrilling final in Bern.

---

Women’s Bouldering Final

The 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering final delivered an unforgettable conclusion to the competition, highlighted by a historic victory from Oceania Mackenzie. The Australian climber secured her first ever World Climbing gold medal, while also becoming the first athlete from Australia to win gold at a World Climbing event.

Mackenzie is no stranger to the international competition circuit. Over the years, she has established herself as one of the sport’s most consistent performers, earning her first World Cup medal with a bronze at the 2024 Prague Boulder World Cup. In Bern, however, she reached a new milestone. Demonstrating exceptional composure and strength throughout the final, Mackenzie topped three of the four boulders to finish with 74.5 points and claim the top spot on the podium.

“I think I’m still in a little bit of a shock. But, [I feel] really amazing. I wanted to be one hundred percent sure that I won before I celebrated so much.”

-Oceania Mackenzie, World Climbing interview

Joining Mackenzie on the podium was Erin McNeice of Great Britain, who earned the silver medal with 69.0 points. McNeice faced a challenging start to the final, reaching only the zone holds on the opening two boulders. Despite the setback, she mounted an impressive comeback by topping both of the final two problems, showcasing the determination and resilience that have become hallmarks of her climbing.

The bronze medal went to USA’s Annie Sanders. After dominating the semi-final round, Sanders entered the final as one of the favorites for gold. She delivered another strong performance, flashing both W2 and W4, but was unable to gain enough points to challenge for the victory. Like many of the finalists, Sanders struggled on the exceptionally difficult third boulder and was unable to secure a zone, finishing with 60.0 points and a well deserved place on the podium at the 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering competition.

---

Want to Watch the Event?

Missed the live broadcast of the event? No problem! Watch the full 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering competition on YouTube through the World Climbing channel. The broadcast features complete coverage of the women’s and men’s bouldering semi finals and finals, allowing fans to relive the standout moments, impressive display of athleticism, and podium winning performances.

• Women’s Bouldering Semi-Final
• Women’s Bouldering Final

---

Follow Us for Upcoming Events

For more information pertaining to the 2026 World Climbing Bern women’s bouldering results, location, videos, images, etc., please visit the main event page. This event also features men’s bouldering. The semi-finals and the finals for the men’s bouldering event will take place on May 24th. Please check out the event page for further details about this event.