# Rock Master returns to Arco for 40 years of climbing

> The world's longest-running climbing festival brings elite athletes to Italy for Lead Duel and KO Boulder competitions.
- Title: Rock Master returns to Arco for 40 years of climbing
- Summary: The world's longest-running climbing festival brings elite athletes to Italy for Lead Duel and KO Boulder competitions. Rock Master in Arco is celebrating…
- Keywords: rock master, arco, italy, climbing festival, lead duel, ko boulder, adam ondra, brooke raboutou, competition, trentino, Rock, Master
- Source: Gripped Magazine — https://gripped.com/news/the-worlds-longest-running-climbing-festival-returns-to-arco-italy
- Author: Aaron Pardy
- Published: 2026-09-25T21:41:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rock master, arco, italy, climbing festival, lead duel, ko boulder, adam ondra, brooke raboutou, competition, trentino
## Rock Master marks 40 years
The world's longest-running climbing festival returns to Arco, Italy on October 2 to 4 for another weekend of elite competition.
## Lead Duel combines speed and difficulty
Two climbers race up identical parallel routes in tournament style, with no time for shaking out or chalking. The routes are much harder than standard Olympic Speed climbing.
## KO Boulder eliminates climbers progressively
Competitors tackle increasingly difficult boulder problems in each round until only one winner remains standing.
## Elite 16 selected for competition
Adam Ondra, Stefano Ghisolfi, Laura Rogora, Brooke Raboutou, and Jessica Pilz are among eight men and eight women competing at Rock Master.
## Ondra seeks eighth Lead Duel title
Adam Ondra won his seventh Rock Master Lead Duel victory last year, while Brooke Raboutou claimed gold in the women's competition.
## Live broadcasts on Rai Sport
Lead Duel finals air Friday, October 2 at 21:15 local time. KO Boulder airs Saturday at 20:00 on Rai Sport.
## Key takeaway

Rock Master in Arco is celebrating four decades with two unique competition formats featuring the sport's best climbers.