The Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof has been postponed due to impending unpredictable weather. The organizers have practice at this. It’s not the first time that the weather hasn’t cooperated. Too little snow, too much wind, fog and now too much snow.
The Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof electrifies the crowds. When the world’s best biathletes fight for the first World Cup points of the new year, the arena on Rennsteig is always packed. Since 1997, the sport of biathlon has been hosted almost continuously in the Thuringian Forest. At the same time, difficult weather conditions are also a regular guest.
Impending squalls: Biathlon sprint preferred
This year there is a risk of too much fuss. In addition to the heavy snowfall, gusts of over 80 kilometers per hour are also forecast for Friday, which is why the women’s and men’s sprint races (live from 11.15 a.m. on ARD) were brought forward from Friday to Thursday.
2016 cancellation due to too little snow
While only a postponement is necessary this time, the Thuringian organizers had to cancel the event completely ten years ago. There was simply no snow.
“Wet mess” last year
Last year there was also little snow, but we were able to start on a white ribbon. With temperatures significantly above zero and constant rain, the competition was strenuous for Franziska Preuß and her fellow competitors. “Then you’re trudging through this wet mess and you notice that you can’t move, even though your legs don’t feel that bad.”Preuss complained at the time. The World Cup had to be shortened to three days.
Fog as a permanent guest at Grenzalder
There were rarely perfect conditions at the Grenzadler, where the arena is located. The reason is also the location. Fog is a permanent guest at the foot of the Thuringian Forest. At the home World Cup in 2023, the athletes had to fight through this and keep perspective.
World Cup in Oberhof in March
The constant capricious weather in Oberhof has not gone unnoticed by the world association. That’s why, starting next season, the World Cup will no longer take place in January, but rather in March. “The first week of January has always been problematic and will continue to be problematic in the future due to the thaw that we are experiencing in Central Europe”IBU Director of Sports and Events Daniel Böhm explained the decision last year.
However, it is still doubtful whether an end to the capricious weather is in sight.