Outdoor

The Eiger North Face of kayak sports: 10 facts on 10 years of adidas Sickline in Ötztal

Time to celebrate: In early October the world’s kayaking elite will return to Ötztal for the 10th time already, fighting for the Extreme Kayak Sprint Champion title on the legendary Wellerbrücke river section. On the occasion of this 10-year anniversary we will present 10 facts and entertaining anecdotes you probably still don’t know …

1. What do you understand by “Sick Line”?

For kayakers the “sick line” is the best, the most flowing and the fastest line downriver. Who will find the “sickest line” in the 10th edition of this event? Athletes of several disciplines – like extreme paddlers, experienced freestylers and skilled slalom world champions – compete against each other.

2. The Eiger North Face of kayak sports

The challenging “Wellerbrücke” river section ranks among the most difficult white water race tracks world-wide. Not without reason this part of Ötztaler Ache is also referred to as Eiger North Face of kayak sports. Until the mid-seventies the Wellerbrücke rapids were known as impassable. Only in December 1976 this part was opened and first conquered – by Holger Machatschek (founder of the Alpine Kayak Club), Andreas Gahl and Hans-Peter Heil!

Kajaker hat das Ziel vor Augen - adidas Sickline Ötztal
Just one goal in mind: this kayaker has already conquered a big part of the “hell ride” …
© Jens Klatt / adidas SICKLINE

3. Every beginning is … self-made

The event premiere in 2006 was held under totally different circumstances: only a small group of sportsmen was invited to organize and take part in this “wild race” – the athletes measured the racing times themselves. The whole event was meant as a demonstration of protest against the construction of river power stations.

4. A truly varied field of competitors

Today, 175 female and male athletes from 33 countries participate in the Extreme Kayak World Championship. Currently Great Britain has the strongest World Championship Team. But New Zealand could already win eleven medals in nine years, therefore it is the dominating nation at the adidas Sickline World Championship. On occasion of the 10th anniversary a parade will be held through the village of Oetz. Afterwards a jury crowns the parade-winning country.

Teilnehmer warten auf den Start - adidas Sickline Ötztal
Ready to race: 33 different nations at the World Championship, among them athletes from far away countries like Costa Rica, India, Japan or Australia – just to mention a few.
© birdyfoto.de / adidas SICKLINE

5. Metes and bounds for the equipment

It is exactly defined in the official racing rules which types of kayaks the athletes are allowed to use in the extreme kayak sprint competition – only boats that fulfill severe safety criteria according to the latest standards. A racing kayak has a maximum length of 275 cm (9 feet) and a minimum weight of 18 kg.

6. Records in a row

The men’s course record of 55 seconds and 34 hundredth dates back to 2015 and was established by Spain’s Gerd Serrasolses. Nouria Newman from France holds the women’s record: in 2014 she conquered the track in 1:02.25 minutes. The biggest number of wins enjoyed New Zealand’s Sam Sutton: he won three times in a row (2010-2012)!

Teilnehmer am Start - adidas Sickline Ötztal
3-2-1-GO! Who is going to beat the 2015 course record? It strongly depends on the water level of Ötztaler Ache and, of course, an explosive start is an absolute must!
© Jens Klatt / adidas SICKLINE

7. 280 meters brimming with challenges

The race course is 280 meters long and has an average gradient of 10 percent, presenting difficulty levels between 5 (extremely difficult) and 6 (passable only in ideal conditions) according to the international white water difficulty scale. The most challenging spots of the Wellerbrücken river section have quite intimidating names like “Minus One”, “TNT Rapid” or “The Champions Killer”.

8. The future is female

Since 2015 the number of female kayakers has been permanently increasing. Now, more than 20 women – that’s about 11 percent of the 175 paddlers – take part in the challenge and the official Women’s World Championship. Last year, Sandra Hyslop from Great Britain won the race in 1:08.82 minutes.

Kajakerin hat alles fest im Griff - adidas Sickline Ötztal
Everything under control: Martina Wegman, participant of the first hour and several-time “adidas SICKLINE Queen” (best female athlete before the Women’s World Championship was established)
© www.damianobenedettophoto.com / adidas SICKLINE

9. Safety first!

Normally, the Wellerbrücke river section is closed to the public by the official authorities due to safety reasons. It is open only during the World Championship period. At the competitions highly innovative rescue methods are applied – like a small redundant ropeway: “For an entire week Wellerbrücke becomes probably the safest white water river section world-wide,” states event director Mike Hamel. On occasion of the event the water rescue team, the mountain rescue experts and the Red Cross joined forces under the name “Swiftwater Rescue Team” to guarantee a maximum of safety.

10. Organizing pioneer and lifesaver

Axel Burkhardt, director of adidas Global Sports Marketing Outdoor and sponsor of the World Championship, is a passionate kayaker himself. In the eighties he mastered a couple of Corsican white waters for the very first time, and he even saved a life during a kayak ride – he rescued Jochen Schweizer, the famous adventure expert.

Das Sicherheitsteam bei der Arbeit - adidas Sickline Ötztal
No paddle stroke remains unobserved: safety is a number one priority at the Extreme Kayak World Championship
© birdyfoto.de / adidas SICKLINE

More Details:

  • The Extreme Kayak World Championship takes place in Oetz from 05 to 07 October 2017. Program details and tickets are available HERE.
  • Again this year you can watch the race via livestream: kayak legend Ben Brown (NZL) will present the spectacle live on livestream.adidas-sickline.com
  • Further information about this event can be found at www.adidas-sickline.com

(Cover image: © www.damianobenedettophoto.com / adidas SICKLINE)

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Benni

Author Benni

When it comes to activity and motion, Benni pricks up his ears! He is a passionate snowboarder, mountain biker, climber & hiker and he knows no better playground for outdoor sports than the Ötztal. He is not the type to sit still - therefore Benni can be often found on the valley's most exciting bike trails and pristine powder snow slopes.

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