The World Cup season began in Durango ©UIAA

Russia claimed a clean sweep of the men's podium as the 2017 International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup season began in Durango in the United States.

The competition structure at the Colorado venue was extended for the finals, with two free-hanging cubes added.

This placed more emphasis on technical climbing rather than pure power, with Alexey Dengin winning the men's lead title after climbing last.

He showed great athleticism and composure en-route to his first UIAA World Cup medal.

Second place went to Nikolai Kuzovlev with Maxim Tomilov, last season's overall winner in both speed and lead events, coming third.

South Korea's Woonseon Shin won the women's competition ©UIAA
South Korea's Woonseon Shin won the women's competition ©UIAA

In the women's competition, South Korea's world champion Woonseon Shin climbed furthest to record victory.

Italian Angelika Rainer was second with Eimir McSwiggan of Ireland third.

All of the top three endured dramatic falls and "sapping" finishes during their efforts.

A separate speed competition also took place before next month's first World Cup of the season in the discipline.

Russian athletes Kuzovlev and Maria Tolokonina won the respective men's and women's titles.

The next World Cup event will take place in China's capital Beijing from January 7 to 9.

The UIAA is separate to the International Sport Climbing Federation (IFSC), the body appointed to organise a sport climbing competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The IFSC broke away from the UIAA in 2007.