Cancellation of the OETZ TROPHY 2024
It is with great regret that we have to inform you today that the OETZ TROPHY - Extreme Kayak World Championships 2024 have to be canceled. This decision was made after a thorough review of the current situation and in consultation with experts, our sponsors and local partners.
The race course has changed significantly due to the flooding in August 2023 and there are currently several danger spots and syphons that would pose a major risk to the safety of participants. Our concern is that the course will be further altered by loose debris in the winter of 2024. The same thing will also happen again during the summer months of 2024, meaning that we would not know whether the race track would be rideable at all until shortly before the OETZ TROPHY. In view of these uncertainties and the high risk of cancellation at short notice, we have decided with a heavy heart to cancel the OETZ TROPHY this year.
In addition to this temporary problem caused by a natural disaster, kayaking at the Wellerbrücke is unfortunately also threatened by a man-made problem. The Tumpen / Habichen hydroelectric power plant generates water surges at irregular intervals and without warning, which can lead to very dangerous situations for kayakers. During the planning phase of the recently built power plant, we warned urgently about this danger and were not taken seriously by the operator - Ötztaler Wassserkraft GmbH. We were assured again and again that it was absolutely unthinkable that the power plant could cause any water level fluctuations on our race track. Unfortunately, time has now shown that we were right in our concerns. In the coming months, we will do everything we can to ensure that the operators of the power plant install an automatic warning system in the area of the race track in order to at least limit the damage and avoid dangerous situations as far as possible in the future. In view of the history and importance of the "Wellerbrückenstrecke", we consider the warning signs recently erected in the affected section of the watercourse regarding possible water surges to be completely unacceptable and inadequate as the sole measure.
Despite this regrettable development, we are pleased to inform you that we have already launched an alternative event. From September 18 to 22, 2024, the first edition of the Ötztal Kayak Festival will take place. The festival will offer a variety of activities, including equipment testing opportunities, workshops, inspiring film lectures and a boater cross race on the slalom course in Oetz.
We are confident that the Ötztal Kayak Festival will be an equally fascinating and exciting event, bringing the kayaking community together and creating unforgettable experiences.
Further details about the Ötztal Kayak Festival and the complete program will be published on our website shortly. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We thank you for your understanding and look forward to making the Ötztal Kayak Festival an unforgettable event together with you.
