Tradition ends
Biathlon revolution for the new season
Updated on February 21, 2025 – 3:42 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
There are traditions in biathlon that still exist today. However, one will now end for the coming season. A German venue is affected.
For years, the biathletes have been stopping at the World Cup in the Thuringian Oberhof at the end of January. This tradition now ends after over 30 years with the beginning of the coming season. This emerges from the competition calendar of the World Association IBU until 2030. The races on the Rennsteig will not be held until the 2026/27 season until the end of February or early March.
The reason for the shift is the better weather conditions at this time of the year, the IBU said. The World Cup has been in Oberhof Station regularly since 1997. Despite the change of appointment, Oberhof remains an integral part of the World Cup until at least 2030 – as well as Ruhpolding. Germany remains the only country with two World Cup stations.
Stefan Schwarzbach, board member of the German Ski Association (DSV), told the dpa that the shift was also in the interests of the association. “The first week of January was not always easy because of the weather conditions. With the shift of six to seven weeks, the biathlon fans should hopefully see the blue Thuringian sky a little more frequently.”
Schwarzbach also emphasized the importance of the German World Cups for international biathlon sports. In view of the growing competition, it is not a matter of course to continue to have two locations. However, the decision shows the appreciation for Germany as a biathlon nation.