Borjomi resort to host Euro Rafting Championships

Central Georgia’s resort town Borjomi is set to host athletes from across Europe for the 2017 European Rafting Championships launching on Monday.

Flocking to Georgia for the major tournament, the teams from 10 countries will hold training sessions before the opening ceremony on May 23.

Young and experienced rafters from nations including Czech Republic, Russia, the United Kingdom and Italy will be split into four divisions in men’s and women’s categories.

Rafters of Turkey's national team navigate the Mtkvari river during last year's Euro Cup. Photo: Georgian National Rafting Federation.

The divisions will feature competition for participants aged U19, U23, Open (professional category) and Masters (40 and above).

The contenders will navigate down the Mtkvari river in six-seater rafts to compete in Sprint, Head-to-Head, Slalom and Youth Downriver.

Organised by Georgian National Rafting Federation, the European Championships will be held in Georgia following the country’s successful bid among 11 competing countries.

The 2016 Euro Cup in Borjomi was praised as a "very successful" tournament by the governing body of the sport. Photo: Georgian National Rafting Federation.

The country’s bid followed the hosting of what the International Rafting Federation called "a very successful Euro Cup” in Borjomi last year. The success of the event led to the Georgian sporting body's decision to apply for hosting the higher level tournament in 2017.

Set to be broadcast live on the YouTube page of the Georgian federation, the European Championships will be held as part of the Check in Georgia governmental program.

First launched as a project for festivals and cultural events in 2016, the program has been expanded to include sports competitions this year.

Its 2017 edition involves 13 international tournaments and matches including the European Rafting Championships, which will run in Borjomi through May 28.