speedkiipeily

Speedkiipeily, commonly referred to in English as speed climbing, is a discipline of competitive sport climbing in which athletes race to reach the top of a standardized 15-meter wall as quickly as possible. The event is governed by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) and is recognized as a separate speed discipline within the sport.

Format and rules are designed for head-to-head racing. In major competitions, two climbers contend in parallel lanes, starting from predefined positions and following a fixed sequence of holds on the wall. Time is measured from the official start signal to the moment the finish holds are touched. The route and holds are standardized to ensure fair comparisons across events. Deviations, falls, or touching the ground may lead to disqualification.

The wall and route used in speed kiipeily are constructed so that the same challenge is available for all competitors. The holds are arranged in a predetermined pattern on a 15-meter vertical wall, and the competition emphasizes speed, precision, and efficient movement through the fixed route.

Competition structure typically includes qualifying rounds and a knockout stage, with faster times advancing to subsequent rounds. Performance is recorded to the millisecond, and athletes continually strive to improve both their top times and consistency across rounds. Speed kiipeily has been featured in IFSC World Cup events and World Championships, and was included as part of the Olympic sport climbing program in 2020 as part of the combined event.

Records and achievement in speed kiipeily focus on sub-seconds and sub-6-second times on the standard wall, with the fastest athletes repeatedly pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the fixed route. The discipline continues to evolve with ongoing competition and technology in timing systems and wall design.