European Championships coming to Britain in 2009
SubscribeBritish Canoeing 22 August 2006
The 2009 European Canoe Slalom Championships will be held in England, British Canoeing announced last week.
The European Canoe Association awarded Britain the right to host the event which will be staged at the National Watersports Centre, Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham in June 2009.
The event, which was secured with financial support via UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme, is held annually and is recognised as one of the most important events within the slalom calendar. It draws over 200 competitors from 35 nations who battle it out for the title of European Champion.
"I am absolutely delighted by the announcement," said Paul Owen, the British Canoe Union’s Chief Executive. "It will give us the chance to showcase canoe and kayaking as well as the best World Class coaches and athletes in the world, including our own Olympic and World Champion medal winners, which is fantastic for the sport. The last time England hosted a major Canoe Slalom Championships was in 1995, so there will be a great buzz in the sport in the run up, to preparing for an impressive event."
UK Sport’s International Director, John Scott, was equally pleased with the announcement.
"We are delighted to learn that the British Canoe Union has been awarded the rights to host the Slalom European Championships in 2009. As well as giving British performers an excellent chance to compete on home soil, the event will also offer an opportunity for almost 400 volunteers to be involved in the staging and running of a major international competition, which is especially important as we look towards London 2012," he said.
"UK Sport’s National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme is supporting this event with up to £187,000 and we look forward to working with the BCU to put on a world-class event."
