Sean Bailey has won back-to-back lead World Cups ©IFSC/Daniel Gajda

American Sean Bailey earned a third International Sport Climbing Federation (IFSC) World Cup victory of the season in Chamonix, while Italy's Laura Rogora took the women's gold medal.

Bailey, fresh from a lead victory across the Swiss border in Villars earlier this month, picked up another tonight with the best score in the men's final.

With nobody able to record a top, Bailey's effort of 34+ was good enough for first place.

Stefano Ghisolfi of Italy - second at the lead World Cup in Innsbruck in late June - was again the runner-up here, with Czech Martin Stranik third.

Stranik and Ghisolfi both scored 32, but the Italian's superior showing in the semi-final saw him take second place.

In the women's contest, Italy topped the podium through Rogora.

Laura Rogora, centre, topped a youthful women's podium in Chamonix ©IFSC/Daniel Gajda
Laura Rogora, centre, topped a youthful women's podium in Chamonix ©IFSC/Daniel Gajda

Rogora, 20, was a convincing winner and the only climber to record a top on finals night at the French resort.

Another 20-year-old, Natalia Grossman of the United States, placed second with a score of 41+.

Grossman has now won a medal at all six IFSC World Cups she has contested this season.

Bulgarian Aleksandra Totkova, who is 16, earned a first-ever World Cup podium via a score of 38+.

The World Cup circuit stays in France, with Briançon due to host a lead contest this weekend (July 17 and 18).