Sheer strength, strategy and team spirit were on full display under the Fontvieille marquee as Monaco hosted the second edition of the Rope Challenge, a gruelling endurance event organised by the Monaco Fire Brigade…
Fifty-two teams from across France and Monaco, including elite military and firefighting units from Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and the Alpes-Maritimes, faced a deceptively simple task: complete as many rope climbs as possible in two timed rounds, 12 minutes in the morning, 8 in the afternoon.
Each team of five had to balance power with precision. Fast climbers alternated with those pacing the effort, while coaches shouted tactics from below. “It’s not just the strongest who win, sometimes it’s the lightweights with perfect rhythm,” one participant laughed, referring to the feared chat maigre category.
For the first time, female firefighters took part, showcasing the inclusivity of a challenge firmly rooted in professional reality. Rope climbing remains a core component of operational readiness, essential in rescue missions involving ladders, reduced visibility or extreme heat.
With Minister of State Christophe Mirmand and the Minister of the Interior watching from the sidelines, the atmosphere was electric. In the end, it was the Champigny-sur-Marne station from the Paris Fire Brigade who claimed victory with an astonishing 221 climbs.
Their prize? A return trip to Monaco, for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in May.
