Long ropes are not for everyone. In Nové Město nad Metují you will see a climb that only a select few can do!

Rope climbing is familiar to almost everyone in school gyms. But there is also a much more challenging form - long rope climbing. It is the one that has its firm place in Nové Město nad Metují. While regular competitions take place on a length of 4.5 metres, here it is climbed on 14 metres. And for the best there is one more base - 20 metres, which is already one of the absolute extremes.

From the Olympics to the present

The 14-metre rope is nothing new. This was the length that was climbed at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. At that time, only one athlete could manage this height and therefore the height was reduced to 8 metres. Later, Bedřich Šupčík made an indelible mark on history by winning the first Czechoslovak Olympic gold in the climb in 1924.

Today, long ropes are making a comeback and one of their main centres is Nové Město nad Metují, where this discipline has been systematically developed since 2005. It was the introduction of a modern belay system that was a major milestone, opening the way to safely climbing heights that earlier generations had only dreamed of.

From stability to revolution

A glance at the results of the last twenty years shows just how much the discipline has moved on. For many years, the 14-second barrier was an impenetrable wall for all competitors. This era was defined primarily by eleven-time winner Štěpán Muchka and, together with him, Aleš Novák, who were the only ones to regularly approach this magical mark.

The breakthrough came with the arrival of Martin Vacko. He was the one who broke this psychological barrier and started to push the times well below 13 seconds. The current phenomenon Matěj Cigl followed up on this fault. In 2025 he pushed the limits of human possibilities to an incredible 10.06 s. Compared to 2005, when 16.15 s was enough to win, this is an improvement of more than 6 seconds. Where earlier legends were still struggling with fatigue in the final metres, Cigl is now safely and lightning fast in the hands of the breaker.

The stories behind the numbers

Behind every time there is a specific story. Stepan Muchka represents an era of unshakable dominance. Martin Matěj, the soul of New Town climbing, again shows incredible endurance - his 11 medals for the home Sokol make him the longest serving elite competitor in history. The present has a clear signature of Matej Cigl, whose performances under 11 seconds mark a complete change in the scale of the whole sport.

Generations meet on the same rope

One of the most interesting aspects is the age differences. On the 14-metre rope in Nové Město, competitors range in age from 16 to 63. The difference of 47 years between the youngest and the oldest participant is quite exceptional in top-level sport and shows that long ropes are also about experience and lifelong passion.

Medal table for 14m rope

20 meters: who will be the tenth chosen one?

While 14 metres is challenging, 20 metres is a different world. Since 2005, only 9 men have climbed this height in the Czech Republic.

History is not often written on this length. The first Czech ascent was recorded by Jan Král only in 2009. This year's edition brings a fundamental question: Who will become the tenth historical conqueror of this magical border?

New this year: women and juniors on 14 metres

This year's edition will bring a historic moment. For the first time, women and juniors will attempt to climb the 14-metre rope. Women already compete regularly on shorter rope lengths, but on long ropes a whole new chapter opens in Nové Město, where courage and technique meet extreme height.

The road to Europe 2027

The ambitions of the organising team, which has recently grown with more enthusiasts, are aiming high. The aim is to prepare a top-class European Championship under the same leadership in 2027. This June's race is thus seen as a key dress rehearsal that will test the readiness of the team and the top safety technology for international level.

Live again in June

Long ropes is not a discipline that one sees often. That is why Nové Město nad Metují has an exceptional position in Czech climbing. Come and watch the duel of generations, the historic attempts of women and the assault on the elite ten climbers of the 20-meter limit.