American Vadim Vinokur earned 12th place at a World Cup climbing comp in Shanghai, China, for his best finish so far this season. Vinokur is now ranked 15th in the 2004 season. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Czech Tomás Mrázek won his third World Cup of the year in China, retaining his overall lead in the standings.

Among the women, 18-year-old Angela Eiter won her second World Cup of 2004, continuing the successes of Austria’s surging climbing program. Eiter is ranked second overall in the World Cup standings (after Belgian Muriel Sarkany), and her countrywoman Bettina Schöpf is third. Austria has four women in the top 12.

Men
1. Tomás Mrázek (CZE)
2. Maxim Petrenko (UKR)
3. Patxi Usobiaga (SPA)
4. Sylvain Millet (FRA)
5. Gérome Pouvreau (FRA)
12. Vadim Vinokur (USA)

Women
1. Angela Eiter (AUT)
2. Caroline Ciavaldini (FRA)
2. Muriel Sarkany (BEL)
4. Bettina Schöpf (AUT)
5. Yuka Kobayashi (JAP)