Italy were the stand-out performers as action begun today at the Paraclimbing Master event in Imst in Austria ©Kletterzentrum

Italy were the stand-out performers as action begun today at the Paraclimbing Master event in Imst in Austria.

The country leads the way in four events after the first three routes at Kletterzentrum Imst.

Among their pacesetters is Alessandra Mammi in the women’s visual impairment B3, posting an unrivalled score of 56.

Compatriot Martina Pellandra is second with 50, while home favourite Gabriele Frohlich is third with 35.

There was also joy for Italy in the men’s visual impairment B2 event with Simone Salvagnin leading on 90.

Fellow countryman Giulio Cevenini is tied for second place with Romania’s Ravzan Nedu after both managed a score of 83.

Italy's Simone Salvagnin leads the men's visual impairment B2 event after the first three routes ©Kletterzentrum
Italy's Simone Salvagnin leads the men's visual impairment B2 event after the first three routes ©Kletterzentrum

Italy are also out in front in the men’s AL1 seating event and women’s RP3 competition through Lorenzo Major and Tiziana Paolini respectively.

Major holds an advantage over compatriot Antonio Trevisani in their two-athlete category, while Paolini is the sole competitor in her division. 

Spain were the strongest performers in three events today with hosts Austria one of four nations leading two events along with Germany, Israel and Slovenia.

Belgium, Hungary and Romania head the standings in one event each.

The International Federation of Sport Climbing officially started hosting Paraclimbing competitions in 2006.

Prior to that, in 2003, the French Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing invited athletes with a disability to climb speed routes at the World Championships in Chamonix.