Innsbruck hosts the International Golden Roof Challenge Friday, June 3.

World-class atheletes will flock to Innsbruck from all over the globe to compete in pole vault and long jump for the much-coveted golden roof shingles and tickets to the European Championships in Barcelona.

The flood-lit event is marked by Mediterranean flair and live music. A large video wall enables onlookers to get close-up views of the spectacular jumps.

In 2008, the Golden Roof Masters pole vaulting champion Jeff Hartwig from the United States improved his own world record with an incredible jump of 5.60 metres. Since then, the Golden Roof Challenge has boasted a certain cult status on an international scale. Numerous world-class athletes will participate in the 2011 competition, underpinning its elite reputation.

Accompanying the event, a sports and adventure weekend will be organised by Tourismusverband Innsbruck and its surrounding holiday villages.

The Golden Roof, a Gothic and Baroque structure, is located in the heart of Innsbruck's old town which is made up of a labyrinth of alleyways, medieval architecture, and pastel-painted houses. Other architectural highlights include the grand Imperial Palace dating back to 1460; the two-towered front of the Parish Cathedral Saint Jacob; and the Hofkirche with its memorial for Emperor Maximilian I.

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