ARCO - The climbing world looks again to Arco on Lake Garda. From October 17 to 19, the Climbing Stadium will be the venue for the 38th Rock Master, one of the most traditional and prestigious climbing competitions in the world. Sixteen of the best athletes on the planet will compete for the coveted trophy in a three-day festival of vertical acrobatics. The close connection between the event and the town was acknowledged at the official presentation in Trento by all sides, including the Trentino sports councillor Mattia Gottardi.
The duel of the superstars
At the heart of the sporting action is the anticipated duel between two climbing icons: living legend Adam Ondra from the Czech Republic and Italian local hero Stefano Ghisolfi. Ondra, record holder in Arco with seven victories, emphasized the special atmosphere of the event: "Climbing here is different. The atmosphere is friendly and entertaining the audience is just as important to me as winning." Ghisolfi, for whom the Rock Master is a home game, is also eagerly awaiting the competition: "I hope to meet Adam in the final. We've been competing against each other since we were 12, so that would be very special."
A festival for climbing fans and the curious
The organizers have put together a full programme for the 38th edition that goes far beyond the pure competition. According to the organizers, the aim is to inspire spectators who are not yet familiar with the discipline. The sporting highlights are the spectacular "Duello Lead" on Friday evening and the nerve-wracking "KO Boulder" on Saturday. There will also be an extensive supporting program with talks with the stars, such as the "Climbin' Espresso" with Ondra, Filip Schenk and Laura Rogora, as well as live music. With "The Fun Bloc", there will also be a non-competitive event where anyone can try their hand at the bouldering wall. RAI Sport will be broadcasting the competitions live and in a summary for those who cannot be there. Entry to the spectacle is free after registering online.
