Russian climbers impressed in the men and women's lead semi-finals at the UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup ©UIAA

Russian climbers impressed in the men and women's lead semi-finals at the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) Ice Climbing World Cup in Kirov.

Nine of the 12 climbers who qualified for the women's lead final were Russian, with Daria Glotova topping the semi-final standings. 

She was followed by Maria Tolokonina and Ekaterina Vlasova in second and third respectively. 

Aneta Louzecka of Czech Republic, Natalya Kulikov of Israel and Polina Aubakirova of Kazakhstan were the only non-Russians to progress in the women's event. 

Russia was just as dominant in the men's lead semi-finals. 

There will be nine climbers out of 16 representing the country in tomorrow's final. 

Russia will be well represented in the men and women's lead finals tomorrow ©Getty Images
Russia will be well represented in the men and women's lead finals tomorrow ©Getty Images

Vadim Malshchukov qualified in first place, with Ivan Loshchenko in second and Nikolay Primerov in third. 

Kirov in Russia is staging the first and only UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup in a severely disrupted 2020-2021 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 crisis has impacted on the entry list, but the event has attracted almost 40 athletes from 10 nations.

Tomorrow's lead finals are scheduled to take place alongside the men and women's speed semi-finals and finals.