Stefano Ghisolfi, first 9a+ with Le moustache qui fâche

Until recently Ghisolfi had sent five 9a, the first of which just over a year ago at Tetto di Sarre in Valle d'Aosta, and these last 14 months have marked a truly impressive rise towards the top. Especially if you consider the fact that to send the route – short and bouldery with a 10m crux – the Italian needed a mere five days, indicating that the potential for far more is still enormous.

This ascent bodes well for the next competition, the Lead event at the Rock Master which gets underway this Thursday in Arco. No Italian has ever managed to win this legendary trophy and Ghisolfi, after last year's seventh place, is well set to make many an Italian dream. For all information about this competition check out www.rockmasterfestival.com