The inaugural Ice Climbing World Combined Championships will begin outside the famous Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow tomorrow ©UIAA

The inaugural Ice Climbing World Combined Championships will begin outside the famous Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow tomorrow.

A top field of athletes has assembled for the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation event, which will crown champions based on their performance across the lead and speed disciplines.

It can be seen as a curtain-raiser before the start of the World Championship and World Cup season, with only three rounds of the second tier European Tour taking place so far this term.

Russia are expected to be strong on home soil at the venue which staged the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in July.

Nikolai Kuzovlev, the 2018 World Cup speed winner, will be a threat after also finishing fourth in the men's lead standings.

Action will take place outside Moscow's famous Luzhniki Stadium ©Getty Images
Action will take place outside Moscow's famous Luzhniki Stadium ©Getty Images

Compatriot Anton Nemov came third in the speed table and should also be among the contenders.

Thirteen countries are expected to be represented in Moscow in all.

In women's action, Russia's multiple world champion and World Cup winner Maria Tolokonina will be in action while Finland's Mira Alhonsuo and Enni Bertling and France's Marion Thomas have been in action on the European Tour.

Competition will begin with qualification tomorrow before the finals conclude the event on Sunday (December 16).

The World Cup season will then begin in Cheongsong in South Korea on January 11.