Culture capital prepares for Euro Open

Kettwig is already known to Germans as a hotbed of indoor rowing competition with the final event of the German indoor rowing series, the NWRV Indoor Cup, having been raced there for the past 10 years

Last year in Rome, Italy, the 6th Euro Open attracted some of the best indoor rowing talent of Europe with Denmark’s Henrik Stephansen breaking his own lightweight men’s record at the event. The 2009 event attracted over 1,000 competitors and just as many competitors are expected this year, including the best German rowers from the elite and junior squads.

Essen was awarded the title of European Cultural Capital 2010 and on the back of this the city chose to apply for the 2010 Euro Open. The press release for the event states: “Kettwig is the only national and international championships where the champions have to race heats and finals in the Junior and Elite classes. One has to qualify on Saturday for the ten places in the final to race for medals on Sunday on the stage with spotlights and the applause of the enthusiastic spectators. For the athletes of 30 years and older there will only be one race over 2,000m on Saturday afternoon to find the medal winners.”

Competitors will also be able to take part in cultural programmes including tours of Essen taking in the cultural highlights. These programmes include a guided tour with a night watchman through Kettwig, a visit to the “Zeche Zollverein”, an old mine, and the “Villa Hügel” or a tour with an old rail bus along the valley of the river Ruhr.
There is also a nations’ dinner on the Saturday night at the “Frankenheim Brauhaus” in Kettwig. Traditional food of the region will be served and the band “Foss Doll” will entertain.

For more information go to: www.euroopen2010.com