Qualification took place today in China's capital Beijing ©UIAA

Alexey Dengin was among the top five qualifiers in the men’s lead event as the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup continued in Beijing.

The first day of the event in the Chinese capital saw Russian athletes dominate the men’s qualification stage.

Dengin was one of four Russians to reach the top of the climb on the two routes as he seeks to earn a second straight victory in the World Cup, after triumphing in the opening competition in Colorado.

Nikolay Primerov, Radomir Proshchenko and Maxim Tomilov were Dengin’s compatriots who achieved the feat to secure qualification.

The only other man to finish at the top on both routes was Janez Svoljsak, with the Slovenian producing an impressive display.

In the women’s event, South Korea’s Woonseon Shin followed up her victory in Colorado by finishing second of the qualification standings.

She achieved 9.191 points when completing route one, before reaching the top of the second route.

Maria Tolokonina would finish above the South Korean athlete, by scoring 9.200 points on route one.

Lead and speed events are taking place this weekend ©UIAA
Lead and speed events are taking place this weekend ©UIAA

The Russian also reached the top of the second route.

The finals for speed events are due to take place on tomorrow, with lead competition drawing to a close the following day.

A total of five World Cup stages will take place ahead of the UIAA World Championships, which will be held in Champagny-en-Vanoise, France from February 4 to 5.

The next leg of the World Cup will be held in Cheongsong, South Korea, on January 14 and 15.