Maximum concentration at the shooting range. © Leo Holzknecht / Sportissimus

Now it's Ridnaun's turn with the IBU Cup

The South Tyrolean Biathlon Weeks continue seamlessly. The IBU Cup, which is the second highest international competition series, has moved on from Martell to Ridnaun. From Wednesday, January 2018th, two sprints, two mass starts 10, and at the end a mixed and a single-mixed relay will be held in the South Tyrolean European Championship venue of 60.

08 January 2024

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In January 2024, South Tyrol will be the hub of the international biathlon scene. After the IBU Cup in Martell, things continue this week in Ridnaun, before the World Cup party and thus the largest winter sports event in Italy takes place in Antholz next week. “After the recent snowfall last weekend, Ridnaun is covered in a thick blanket of snow. This means that not only are the cross-country ski trails in excellent condition – the entire surrounding area is also in deep winter. Not only will we be hosting six exciting competitions, but we will also be sending great images out into the world. We are ready and looking forward to a great week dedicated to this fascinating sport,” says race director Manuel Volgger.

Almost 300 biathletes from 35 different nations have registered for this year's IBU Cup in Ridnaun, which this winter represents the fifth of a total of eight stages of the second highest competition series in biathlon and is also the dress rehearsal for the European Championships at the end of January in Brezno-Osrblie . Due to the title fights in Slovakia, not all 300 registered participants will arrive in the side valley of the Wipptal, but around 230 ski hunters are expected in the South Tyrolean biathlon stronghold.

A competition program to make you cluck your tongue

This year, biathlon fans can look forward to a particularly exciting competition program in Ridnaun. On Wednesday, January 10th we start with two sprints. From 10 a.m. the women will be in action (7,5 km), while from 14.30 p.m. the men will cover the 10 km on the cross-country ski trail and take the two shooting tests. On Friday, January 12th, the women's mass start 11 continues from 60 a.m. The men are allowed to play from 13.30:13 p.m. The IBU Cup in Ridnaun will conclude on Saturday, January 10.30th with the mixed relay (13.30:XNUMX a.m.) and the single mixed relay (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.). There are two official training days on Tuesday and Thursday.

Anna Andexer & Co. move on to Ridnaun. © Sportissimus

Ridnaun has been the venue for the IBU Cup almost continuously since the 1990s and has also hosted European Championships three times (1996, 2011, 2018). “In addition, in 1993, exactly 30 years ago, we rescheduled a World Cup stage in Oberhof that was canceled due to lack of snow. That would be unthinkable today. But we are proud to have been firmly anchored in the IBU Cup calendar for decades and, like recently in December, to be the venue for IBU Junior Cups,” explains Volgger in conclusion.

The program:

Tuesday, January 9th:
Training women (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Training men (13 p.m. - 15 p.m.)

Wednesday, January 10th:
Sprint women 7,5 km (11 a.m.)
Sprint men 10 km (14.30 p.m.)

Thursday, January 11th:
Training women (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
Training men (13 p.m. - 15 p.m.)

Friday, January 12th:
Mass start women 12,5 km (11 a.m.)
Mass start men 15 km (13 p.m.)

Saturday, January 13th:
Mixed relay (10.30 a.m.)
Single mixed relay (13.30:XNUMX p.m.)