Russia dominated the speed climbing at Rabenstein on the second leg of the UIAA World Tour ©UIAA

Russia's Anton Nemov defeated his compatriot Ivan Spitsyn to win the men's speed competition at the Ice Climbing World Tour leg in Rabenstein.

The Italian resort in South Tyrol is hosting the second leg of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) season.

Difficult conditions had been predicted, but competition went ahead as planned on the 25-metres high tower of ice.

Nemov, who had taken silver in the opening leg of speed climbing at Saas-Fee behind compatriot Nikolai Kuzovlev last week, earned a top-of-the-podium place as he completed the climb in 19.53sec, with Spitsyn clocking 20.78.

Rabenstein presented a challenging test for UIAA ice climbers in the second leg of the World Tour ©UIAA
Rabenstein presented a challenging test for UIAA ice climbers in the second leg of the World Tour ©UIAA

There was a Russian clean sweep as Vladimir Kartashev took third place after clocking 19.23, with Iran's Beheshti Rad Mohsen recording 22.65.

Russia dominated the women’s speed climbing as Nadezda Gallyamova won the event in 28.94sec in front of compatriot Ekaterina Feoktistova clocking 29.30.

Bronze went to Russia’s Ekaterina Koshcheeva in 24.50sec, who beat Natalia Belyaeva, a finisher in 36.87.

Tomorrow will see the men's and women's lead climbing take place.