Storm Damages in Area Rapperswil/Jona

Gale force winds on 16th July have caused severe damage in the WOC region. In the area of the Sprint, the old town in Rapperswil, several trees have been blown over. Several underpasses were flooded within minutes and many street cafés and restaurants suffered damage to outdoor furniture. However the opening race ot the 20th WOC is not in danger. The situation in Chlosterwald, 7km east of Rapperswil, is considerably worse. The two roads which bound the WOC Relay area had to be closed due to fallen trees. An initial inspection of the forest by the technical team revealed significant damage in some areas. Several legs and control sites are affected, particularly in the western part of the area. The same area was already affected in 1999, when the hundred year storm "Lothar" struck. A decision on how this storm affects the relay and what action to take will be made in the next few days, when the organisers have had time to check everything.

The cold front that came with the storm has at least brough some welcome rain and cooler weather in the middle of a several week long heat wave. However, with only two and a half weeks before the WOC opening ceremony there is now a lot of extra work to deal with.

Translation by Jamie Stevenson (GBR).

Posted: 2003-07-17 11:41:50