Limassol winning over the world

Limassol winning over the world

text ALIX NORMAN

Billed as the ‘Energetic City’, Limassol is the vibrant centre of island life. Hosting an every growing number of world-class competitions and competitors, Limassol is putting Cyprus on the global map as a viable destination for international sport – the ideal place for the athletic elite to train, compete and enjoy.

As one of the highest profile cycling events on the global calendar, the Sunshine Cup attracts the cream of the cycling crop to Cyprus.

CYCLING

With the preeminent stage of the race taking place at Ancient Amathus, the Sunshine Cup is the sporting zenith of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar. Over 60 percent of the top mountain-bikers in the world attend on an annual basis. The past year has attracted global leaders in droves, with French champion Stephane Tempier taking the men’s trophy, and Switzerland’s Nathalie Schneitter the women’s. This is a race which is entirely unique in its setting – and not just for the prestige or the valuable ranking points. Where else in the world could professional athletes from Russia, Japan, Brazil and Germany navigate a route which runs past pristine beaches into magnificent archaeological sites?

Mike Hadjioannou, Sunshine Cup Race Organiser and Managing Director of Bikin’Cyprus Events Management, says: “The race is extremely attractive for the riders and their teams.” A former national champion and medallist in the Games of the Small States of Europe, Mike has been passionate about cycling for more than three decades. That makes his expert view of the course itself all the more compelling: “Although the route is very scenic, it’s nevertheless quite challenging. It’s a course that’s considered one of the most technically difficult in the world, significantly different from others in terms of its topography and soil composition.” Apart from being very rocky, the frequent changes in gradient – steep uphills and precipitous downhills – present the ultimate challenge, Mike explains.

Although open to all levels of ability, the race is a magnet for those who make mountain-biking their profession. “While amateur riders compete on the same track as professionals,” Mike says, “obviously the latter are the real draw. Every year, we have over 30 international riders competing for their professional or national teams, from the Ukraine, Scandinavia, the UK, Italy, Pakistan and Belgium – we’re attracting more teams all the time.”

Many of them now also avail themselves of the year-round training opportunities in the area, says Maria Stylianou of the Limassol Tourism Development and Promotion Company. “All the necessary infrastructure is in place: the quality hotels, athletic centres and coastal cycle paths along with easily accessible routes to the nearby mountains, confirming Cyprus as the off-season training choice for thousands of athletes each year.”

Mike adds: “The aptly named Sunshine Cup is not a race that any professional cyclist would want to miss.” Nor would a spectator, for that matter.

Conditions are so apposite that thousands of energised visitors arrive each year with a single purpose in mind... to compete in the Limassol Marathonṛ

RUNNING

Already a major annual global event renowned for its fresh take on an ancient sport, the Limassol Marathon takes place on 10 April 2016. Attracting over 10.000 participants from hundreds of countries, it’s an event that regularly sees the world’s foremost distance-runners striving to achieve new heights of athleticism. A feat that is, most interestingly, more attainable in Cyprus than in almost any comparable competition... Because, unlike people, marathons are not created equal. While the distance may remain the same, the terrain does not.

If you’ve ever run more than a couple of blocks, you’ve experienced first-hand the punishment inflicted by even the shallowest of inclines – especially at altitude. So for athletes who regularly tackle the gruelling gradients of Barcelona, the dizzying twists of Berlin or the 600-foot elevation of the Chicago Major, the Limassol Marathon is pure exhilaration. Almost entirely flat, the route is characterised by long straights and lenient inclines. Even better, competitors are guaranteed good weather, earning this race the moniker ‘The Brightest Marathon in the World’.

“The Limassol Marathon takes place each spring,” says Maria Stylianou. “It’s a time when the weather is absolutely perfect for this sort of event, especially considering its coastal location. It’s the only marathon in the world that’s run directly along the seafront.” Indeed, the race is a study in what makes Cyprus exceptional. And it’s this that attracts almost as many spectators as participants.

“It’s an incredibly positive event,” says Maria. “Not only for the runners, but for those who share a love of life. And while the Marathon is relatively new to the world stage, the feedback has been extraordinary; it creates a real buzz in the air that continues all year round.” In fact, take a stroll along the promenade and you’re guaranteed to see some of the athletic action for yourself – there’s always a runner or two in training, no matter the season.

With a world-class marina, Limassol is now ready to accommodate an international regatta sans compare.

SAILING

The sea is an ever-present aspect of island life for both locals and tourists alike. And, with its 100-plus kilometres of coastline, Limassol is the perfect place to enjoy kitesurfing, wakeboarding and flyboarding. While most visitors are delighted by the odd aquatic flirtation, others are set to arrive with the more serious intention of, literally, sporting in the waters.

For the past two years, the Ioannideia Offshore International Regatta has been the high point of the sailing calendar, attracting luxury yachts from nearly 10 different countries. But this year, hosts Famagusta Nautical Club have surpassed themselves, achieving official recognition from the Offshore Racing Congress for the September event. Expanding into a seven-day regatta from 7 to 13 September 2015, the Ioannideia now includes – for the first time – a number of water sport competitions, social get-togethers, and an International Optimist Regatta, together with the more established world-class offshore yachting event.

While previous races have seen teams from Russia, Britain, Greece and Lebanon to name just a few, this year the scope has increased immeasurably, and global crews of multi-million pound craft are jostling to compete in the prestigious race. “For the Offshore International Regatta we’re expecting over 100 participants from all over the world,” says Stelios Charalambous, Director of the Ioannideia. “All fullsize yachts, up to approximately 75 feet in length, and mostly privately-owned by amateur competitors.”

Meanwhile, the International Optimist Regatta is also making waves of its own in the global sailing community, garnering sponsorship from international manufacturers and local organisations alike. “Limassol is a great place to be, especially during summer,” Stelios continues. “The sea and the wind conditions are excellent for sailing at this time of year. Plus, the facilities are all in place,” he adds, referring to the 650-berth capacity of the Limassol Marina – a highly popular destination among maritime enthusiasts from the Arab States, Russia and the Ukraine. Along with its usual high-end clientele, Limassol Marina will also be accommodating the magnificent yachts in the Ioannideia, providing free mooring and opening its extensive business and entertainment facilities to all participants for the duration of the event.

and more…

Cycling, running and sailing may be the big three, but Cyprus also celebrates a wide variety of other international sporting events – from martial arts tournaments and free-diving contests, to canoeing races and volleyball matches. No matter where your sporting talents or interests lie, every month of the year affords the chance to discover, see or try something new.

Sea Sports

As you’d expect from a Mediterranean destination, sea sports feature heavily on the agenda. The NOA Golden Regatta, Santander Sailing World Championships and RS:X European Windsurfing Championships have all benefitted from the sheltered harbours, open waters and steady winds of Limassol’s diverse coastline. And even below the surface, it’s all going on. Sometimes at a depth of up to 150 metres...

Diving

From 11 to 20 September 2015, the AIDA Individual World Depth Championship will be held in Limassol, and organiser Savvas Savva is preparing to welcome over one hundred professional free-diving titleholders from more than 30 different nations. “The weather, water temperature and incredible visibility of our seas are perfect for free diving,” he explains. “And this year we’ll definitely be seeing the world champions breaking their own records.”

Car Racing

Speaking of breaking things, it’s the speed limits that will be suffering between 25 and 27 September this year – because the Cyprus Rally’s in town. And whether you’re a member of the 70-odd world-class crews or a spellbound spectator, it’s going to be a thrilling ride. Hurtling through the mountain forests, veering round razor-sharp turns or powering headlong down the finishing straight, it certainly takes nerves of steel and lightning reflexes to make automotive history in a race that’s part of both the European and Middle East Rally Championships.

At the more rarefied end of the motoring spectrum, Cyprus is also renowned for its more classic events, which take place throughout the year. Three historic car rallies – all of which are based in the Limassol district – bring an enchanting elegance (and a huge number of foreign enthusiasts) to the area.

Beach Tournaments

Let’s not forget the youthful vivacity engendered in the international beach volley and beach tennis tournaments – both of which are a regular occurrence in a country with the highest ratio of Blue Flag beaches to coastline in the whole world.

A Celebration of Sport

Lemesia is one of the island’s premier international sporting events. In fact, Lemesia is a microcosm of all that the country has to offer in relation to sport: quality, variety and constant innovation. Now in its sixteenth year, it incorporates a vast and ever-increasing number of competitions and competitors. This year, local, global and Olympic-level athletes will be assembling from 16 to 25 October to test their skills in everything from canoeing to the triathlon. “Lemesia attracts athletes from all over the world,” says Maria Stylianou. “It’s very well established and has, over the years, created a wonderful network with sports clubs in other countries. It’s the best of the best in their fields – be it the martial arts experts of Eastern Europe or the boxing champions of Great Britain.”

For further information on these and other sporting events, contact Maria Stylianou at the Limassol Tourism Company at Tel: 2587 7226, or the Four Seasons Concierge.