For the second year in a row, the Danish Swimming Federation is holding a European Open Water Swimming Cup. Just as last year, the event takes place in conjunction with Copenhagen Swim, which this year will be held on Saturday 27 August. The European Cup in Copenhagen is the fifth leg in a series of six, where upwards of 40 swimmers from all over Europe are expected to participate in the 6 kilometer distance in the canals of Copenhagen. The European Cup swimmers must therefore swim 3 x 2 kilometer laps around Christiansborg.
Last year’s European Cup featured 10 kilometers of open water swimming, and here the fastest of the three Danes was Laust Moesgaard, who achieved a fine 10th place in a strong field. Several Danish swimmers are also expected to line up for the start this year.
Caroline Kleemann Falster, Project Manager at the Danish Swimming Federation, is looking forward to the event, which is one of the most prestigious open water events in Europe:
“Once again we are pleased to have the privilege of inviting Europe’s strongest open water swimmers to the European Cup in Denmark. With the event being set round Christiansborg, we can offer participants a unique backdrop, where spectators can follow the entire route. Together with the City of Copenhagen and SportEvent Denmark, both of which are supporting the event again this year, Denmark’s strongest open water swimmers once again have the opportunity to train for an international competition on home ground.
There will undoubtedly be a tough battle for positions when the race gets underway in the canals of Copenhagen,” says Caroline Kleemann Falster, Project Manager at the Danish Swimming Federation.
A unique event
The canals of Copenhagen create a fantastic setting for the European Cup with a unique opportunity to swim around the Danish Parliament Buildings in the centre of Copenhagen. There are very few European cities who can boast that the water in the harbour is so pure that it is possible to hold swimming events.
When the European Cup is held in conjunction with the fun event Copenhagen Swim, is it because the coupling of an elite event and a fun event creates a fantastic synergy effect. Copenhagen Swim is expected to attract around 3500 participants, and therefore also a large group of spectators at the European Cup, while the European Cup helps put Copenhagen Swim on the international map as a fun event that is also open to foreign participants.
Open training opportunities in Danish open water communities around Copenhagen
As a special offer for foreign participants during the week leading up to Copenhagen Swim, many Danish open water swimming communities are offering the opportunity to come and train with them. It is a unique opportunity to experience various training sites in Danish waters in the form of sea, lake and fjords, in and around Copenhagen. You can read more about the various open water communities and their training sites on www.copenhagenswim.com under “Event”.
About Copenhagen Swim
Copenhagen Swim is being held for the 10th time this year. Here the participants can swim 2 kilometers in the canals around Christiansborg. If you would rather swim the 2 kilometers in a team, it is also possible to participate in the Krüger Relay, in which teams of four people swim 500 metres each.
This year, Copenhagen Swim takes place on the same weekend as “Cultural Harbour,” in the hope that the two Copenhagen events can create synergies around activities on and in the harbour.
You must be at least 15-years-old in order to participate in Copenhagen Swim, but in 2016, the Danish Swimming Federation is also offering free activities on land and in the water for children of all ages.
Day’s programme
8.30: European Cup 6 kilometers
10.00: Copenhagen Swim 2 kilometers
13.20: Krüger Relay
14.10: Copenhagen Swim resumes with heat 36
16.00: Last heat of Copenhagen Swim
17.00: Copenhagen Swim finishes
Registration
Registration for Copenhagen Swim can be done via www.copenhagenswim.com. The price is DKK 445 (including a t-shirt) until 31 July. Registering for participation in the last month leading up to the event costs DKK 495 (excluding a t-shirt).
Swimming news courtesy of Danish Swimming.