After Kitzbühel’s success in hosting the biggest European Triathlon Championships in the 30-year history of European triathlon in June 2014, with more than 2,500 starters, the Austrian Triathlon Federation together with the Austrian town of Kitzbühel has again being awarded the contract, this time, to host the 2017 ETU Triathlon European Championships.
After the event this summer, the Austrian Triathlon Federation has worked closely with the town of Kitzbühel and Kitzbühel Tourism to ensure that the European Championships return as quickly as possible to sporting town in the Austrian Alps.
“We were now even a little surprised at how quickly we received the bid to host the European Championship in 2017 and thank you very much to the Executive Board of the European Triathlon Union for their trust,” said ÖTRV President Walter Zettinig.
The decisive factor in ETU’s decision to grant the town the 2017 European Tri Championships was seen to be the high quality organisation and delivery that was witnessed this year. More than twice as many starters as seen at previous European Championships, and the smooth running of all races that took place in June, ensured a desire for more championships in Kitzbühel.
“We were impressed by the organization of this year’s European Championships in Kitzbühel, so we can look towards renewed focus of our premium events over the next three years with confidence; Geneva 2015 and Lisbon in 2016 and in 2017 with our Alpine Spectacular in Kitzbühel,” said ETU President, Renato Bertrandi.
“This great news means that Austria in 2017 will host the European Championships for the fourth time; Linz in 1990, Velden in 1998 and in 2014 Kitzbühel. We welcome Europe’s best athletes and thousands of age group athletes.”
From the point of view of the town and the Tourist Board, Kitzbühel is hugely enthusiastic. “We had about 20,000 additional hotel nights with this year’s championship in June,” said Mayor Klaus Winkler. “For 2017 we can certainly expect similar numbers. Such an event delivers significant economic value in our region and ensures our businesses are well-used in the pre-season.”
Before the European Championship takes place in less than three years, the town will also host the National Championships and a massive triathlon festival weekend under the direction of the Tyrolean Triathlon Federation in the coming year.
“By 2016, we will have set the course in the spring of 2015. In any case, in 2016 the breeze of international competition will blow strong in Kitzbühel,” said ÖTRV Secretary General Herwig Grabner, already looking beyond 2015. “We have several bidding options; from the European Cup (final) to the World Cup. We can check with the ITU and ETU race schedules.”
“However, one thing should not be forgotten amongst all this jubilation and international plans,” said Tyrol Triathlon President Julius Skamen. “The ‘Stars of Tomorrow’, who are the growth, and the delivery of young blood into our sport remains an integral part of the triathlon event in Kitzbühel.”
Skamen continued, “The integration of the Triathlon Association Kitzbühel, which with the organization of the largest youth development triathlon in Austria – the Kitz-Tri Games as part of the ASVÖ Triathlonzug Tirol – that each year sees over 300 young, determined and hopeful triathletes for the future, is a fundamental building block for the event in the coming years. This brings the world’s best triathletes close together with our youth. Of this, one can be particularly proud.”
