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It's the first big showdown of the year: the canoe race on the Fulda. It is the 54th edition. While the Sprint is going up as planned, there is a change in the Classic race.
Fulda – No, says Johannes Baumann, he didn't dance for joy when it rained again on Wednesday – the Fulda canoeists would say finally. “Unfortunately it rained in the wrong corner,” said the head of organization of the 54th canoe downhill race, which takes place on Saturday (March 14th) and Sunday (March 15th). The result: The Fulda Canoe Club has to move away.
The classic long-distance race on Sunday (9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) will not take place on the “Upper Fulda” between Eichenzell and Ziegel, but rather like in 2025 between Brillezell and Kämmerzell. “The water level on the 'Oberen Fulda' was 1.02 meters on Friday. We were allowed to drive, but it is only attractive from 1.10 meters onwards,” explains Baumann.
54th edition: Canoe Club Fulda welcomes the world elite to the home race
Moving the Classic race to the alternative route does not have any major consequences. “The additional effort is limited,” says Baumann. However, the sprint race can take place as planned on Saturday (12.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.) on Frankfurter Straße in the Fulda Bridge area in the Kohlhaus district.
“On the track we have the advantage that we always get a little more water from the Schupp family, who run the waterworks, so that we can run the races,” says Baumann. The sprint races are considered particularly crowd-friendly. The greats of whitewater racing will once again be competing on the 400 meter long and easily visible course this year.
Road closures due to the canoe races
Because of the canoe races, Johannesberger Straße (Kohlhäuser Bridge) between Frankfurter Straße (B254) and the junction of K 103/Eselsweg will be completely closed on Saturday (March 14th) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bypass options exist via Johannesberg – L3418 (Westring – Karl-Storch-Straße) and Harmerz – Ziegel.
Many world and European champions use the canoe race as a warm-up to the new season; after all, Fulda is considered the first big showdown of the year. “We have 150 starters on Saturday and Sunday. This year there are athletes from eight nations,” says Baumann happily. The North Macedonians will have to travel the furthest this year, as they will be taking part in competitions in North Rhine-Westphalia the following weekend
The Fulda Canoe Club has around 60 helpers on duty on both days to ensure everything runs smoothly. Baumann and his organization team previously started planning in December. “This is the best phase now, when the dry planning is done and the race can begin,” says Baumann.
150 starters from eight nations at the start
And from Fulda’s perspective, the competitions can begin. Most recently, the youngsters of the canoe club impressed at the season opener at the 67th Sülz downhill race near Rösrath and whetted their appetite for more. At the home race, figureheads like Jasper Zentgraf or Anne Jäger, the Fulda athlete of the year 2025also start.
The promising talents Felix Denner and Torben Kramm are also starting in the race this weekend in Fulda on the Fulda. The club can also look forward to the returnees David and Joshua Piaskowski, who are driving for the canoe club again after a few years and are also at the start of the home race.
