Magnus Midtbø sends Santa Linya 9a+

On Saturday 5 March, just a few days before his trip home, Norwegian sports climber Magnus Midtbø managed to repeat Selection Analogica 9a+ at the massive Santa Linya cave in Spain. The 27-year-old, 11 times lead Norwegian Champion worked the route in late January and early February, travelled home for a short break, then returned to Santa Linya once again to finally succeed repeating this line freed originally by Ramón Julián Puigblanque.

Having previously onsighted Cosi fan tutte 8c+ at Rodellar in 2013 and redpointed Papichulo 9a+ at Oliana in early 2015, Midtbø now commented "Just before I was getting on the route, my friend broke off an important hold down low, which is now a lower crux. I though maybe that was it. But I figured out a way to get passed it, and on my next go everything just clicked! Perfect timing as this trip was coming to an end. I have spent a lot of time in this cave over the years and I think this is the hardest route I have done in here so far. Finally I can fly home with a send that I'm truly proud about."