As the Swiss resort marks 20 years of association with competitive ice climbing, Russia will look to continue their dominance of the sport this season.

Athletes from the country currently lead the standings in all four categories, with Nikolai Kuzovlev unbeaten in the men's lead.

The same is true for Maria Tolokonina in the women's lead, while Vladislav Iurlov tops the men's speed standings having finished third in South Korea before winning last time out in Beijing.

In the women's speed, Ekaterina Koshcheeva is top of the standings having come second in South Korea before winning in Beijing.

All of them could find it tougher going at the Ice Dome, however, as Saas-Fee is known for its tough conditions.

The UIAA describe its speed wall as "complex and capricious", while many more European climbers are set to compete in what is the first event of the season in the continent.

French, Finnish and Irish athletes in particular are set to take part, while hosts Switzerland have entered a team of 14 climbers.

Among those on the entry list is Switzerland's 2016 International Federation of Sport Climbing bouldering world champion Petra Klingler.

Several strong South Koreans are also set to feature including Heeyong Park, Hannarai Song and Woonseon Shin, who have all enjoyed success in Sass-Fee before.

The competition will begin with men's and women's qualifying tomorrow, before the finals go ahead on Saturday (January 26).