MARCELLO BOMBARDI

Professional climber of the Italian national team and enthusiastic outdoor lover

I started climbing at the age of seven and quickly fell in love with the sport. I tried the first competitions when I was still little and never stopped since then. I am lucky to be able to say I am a professional athlete since 2014 thanks to the support of the sport group of the Italian army and member of the national team with which I lived incredible and unforgettable experiences. As soon as I have some free time from gym trainings and competitions I run to the crags to live the magic on rocks.

Birthday: August 8, 1993
Home town: Casinalbo (Modena)
Current home: Pont-Saint-Martin (Aosta)
Favorite MAXIM rope: Airliner 9.1

Get to know Marcello ...

Tell us how and when you got into climbing?
Despite a deep passion for the mountains my parents never practiced sport climbing. I started climbing by accident at seven years old in a small gym close to home after a free trial of the sport. An enthusiastic group of kids made me passionate about the sport.

What was the highlight of your climbing carreer so far?
The highlight so far has been definitely the night of the 13th of July 2017 when with a magical and surreal climb I managed to top the final route of the Chamonix World Cup stage, one of the most historic and exciting, and win the gold medal.

What are you doing when you are not climbing?
Probably travelling for going climbing :) But I love also to spend time reading or being in the nature doing other things like running or skiing in winter.

Do you have any peculiar eating habits?
Drinking a lot of tea in winter, in some days so much that I don’t drink water all day long.

If you could choose a super power, what would it be?
To go back in time, even without being able to change the actions but only to relive some moments and emotions.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a pro climber?
Probably working as an engineer for what I’ve studied at the university and trying to take as much time as possible to go climbing.

Career Highlights

Lapsus

Country/City: Andonno, Italy
Grade: 9a+/b
Length: 35 meters

Maybe my hardest route so far and definitely the one that required me the most attempts and commitment. The joy, satisfaction and relief felt on clipping the chain are still vivid in my mind.

Thor’s hammer

Country/City: Flatanger cave, Norway
Grade: 9a/+
Length: 55 meters

The longest and most painful battle I did on a route which lasted more than one hour. After the hard starting sequence which determines the grade you get to climb 40 meters of overhang in this giant Norwegian cave where arms, feet and knees are essentials. The pump really gets you from head to toes.

First ley

Country/City: Margalef, Spain
Grade: 9a+
Lenght: 15 meters

It’s the first part of the famous First Round First Minute. The scenes of Chris Sharma screaming and climbing on the amazing moves of FRFM have been one of my biggest inspirations and I grew up and trained with the dream of being able one day of pinching hard like Chris on those holds.

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