The ice structure facing competitors in the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in Cheongsong this weekend ©UIAA

Russia's Maria Tolokonina finished top in the women's lead semi-final at the second 2020 International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup of the season at Cheongsong, South Korea.

Tolokonina, a multiple world and World Cup champion, looked in fine shape ahead of tomorrow's final.

But only one place behind her was home climber Shin Woonseon, who beat her in the opening UIAA World Cup event of the season in Changchun, China, last weekend.

The next three positions were also occupied by the same nations, as Russia's Ekaterina Vlasova took third place and home climbers Chaehyun Seo and Sunga Son took the next two places.

Tolokonina's Russian colleague Maksim Tomolov topped the standings in the men's lead semi-finals, finishing with 13.291 points ahead of compatriot Dmitry Grebennikov, on 12.261, and France's Nathan Clar on 12.260.

Yannick Glatthard of Switzerland was fourth on 11.260, one place above home climber Younghye Kwon.

Around 100 athletes from 17 different countries are competing across two days of competition on the challenging and technical ice structure set in front of a natural ice wall, with both lead and speed finals tomorrow.

The Cheongsong event is the second of three UIAA World Cups to be held this season.