The world’s best biathletes have an extra day off. The 10 kilometer sprint race in Oberhof planned for Thursday has to be postponed to Friday.
The start of the new year gets off to a bumpy start for the biathletes. Due to the weather conditions in the Thuringian winter sports metropolis, the men’s sprint must be postponed from Thursday to Friday (January 5th, 2024).
From 11.20 a.m. (live ticker and live on the first) the ski hunters around World Cup leader Johannes Thingnes Bö should go to the cross-country ski trail. The women’s sprint will then take place as planned from 2:25 p.m. The World Biathlon Federation announced this on Wednesday.
Constant rain in Oberhof
It had rained heavily in Oberhof in the past few days. Constant rain is also forecast for the next few hours and the wind is blowing heavily. The organizers fear that the route will not last until Sunday under these circumstances and are hoping for the planned change in the weather. Significantly cooler temperatures are forecast from Friday.
On Tuesday, the organizer was still confident that the competitions could go ahead as planned. 24 hours later it was clear that time adjustments had to be made.
In order to protect the cross-country ski trails, the cross-country training circuit has already been shortened and the shooting range has been closed. Further training options were offered to the athletes in the ski hall and in the shooting hall.
There are difficult weather conditions in Oberhof
Oberhof traditionally struggles with the weather
The organizers in Oberhof are used to difficult conditions. The weather rarely cooperates at the beginning of January on the Thuringian Heights with storms and fog instead of masses of snow. This time there is enough snow, but also too much rain and temperatures that are too mild.
In 2016 the entire World Cup was canceled because there was no snow. This horror scenario no longer threatens. Since then, Oberhof has invested heavily in a modern snowmaking concept with a depot for storing up to 15,000 cubic meters of snow over the summer.
DSV trio returns to the World Cup
After a strong first third of the season, the German team definitely has a chance of getting on the podium at their first home World Cup. After their forced breaks due to illness, Roman Rees, Sophia Schneider and Hanna Kebinger are back in the squad.
Time schedule
- Friday, January 5th, 11:15 a.m.: Men’s 10 kilometer sprint
- Friday, January 5th, 2:25 p.m.: Women’s 7.5 kilometer sprint
- Saturday, January 6th, 12:25 p.m.: Men’s 12.5 kilometer pursuit
- Saturday, January 6th, 2:40 p.m.: Women’s 10K Pursuit
- Sunday, January 7th, 11:30 a.m.: Men’s 4×7.5 kilometer relay
- Sunday, January 7th, 2:45 p.m.: Women’s 4×6 kilometer relay