This is how a day of competition in Antholz goes

TV camera on, TV camera off: In between lies the period of time in which a normal biathlon fan watches a World Cup race. But even the major television stations aren't there live for more than two hours at a time. There's a lot going on all day long at the Biathlon World Cup in Antholz...

7.15 pm The World Cup village in the Pustertal is slowly waking up from its sleep. In bitterly cold temperatures of minus 15 degrees Celsius, athletes, trainers, journalists and volunteers prepare for a long day over breakfast in the South Tyrol Arena in Antholz.

Still almost deserted: The press center in Antholz in the early morning (Photo: A. Foppa)

8.45 pm The first media representatives arrive in the brand new press center, which is located below the arena - namely those who manage the press office during the World Cup in Antholz. They prepare everything for the numerous journalists, photographers and cameramen who have traveled to the Pustertal from all over the world. A total of 160 media representatives from 15 different countries are accredited for the four days of competition in Antholz. 12 pm A briefing for the photographers will take place in the press center. Meanwhile, crowds of spectators flock to the large stands of the Südtirol Arena, where biathlon men have been training. Dominik Windisch and his teammates trained in Antholz on Thursday morning. (Photo: C. Staffler)

And the volunteers in their distinctive green jackets, who supply fans with mulled wine tanks on their backs and snack baskets strapped around their upper bodies during the competitions, are also preparing for their mission. Biathlon fever has broken out throughout Antholz, as evidenced not least by the many fan flags from different nations on the hotel balconies. Fantastic weather and a wonderful atmosphere: The Biathlon World Cup in Antholz is the largest winter sports event in Italy. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

12.45 pm For the first time, huge cheers erupted in the already well-filled stands in the Südtirol Arena. The reason: Ski racer Peter Fill and natural track toboggan ace Patrick Pigneter climb onto the podium to join DJ Alex, who really heats up the audience with his party music. Both answer a few questions, then Fill goes to Kitzbühel, Pigneter has the home World Cup in Deutschnofen ahead of him.

13.30 pm One hour before the women's sprint, the first competition on the long biathlon weekend in Antholz, starts. The athletes warm up at the shooting range, the supervisors test whether the cross-country skis are properly prepared - if not, this is the last opportunity to change the surface. 14.15 pm Fifteen minutes left until the starting signal. The athletes, who make their way through underground catacombs to the start area and have already passed the equipment check, are presented on the large video wall in the finish area. There was great cheer, especially among local heroes Dorothea Wierer and Lisa Vittozzi, as well as among the German biathletes.

14.30 The spectacle begins. The French Julia Simon opens the sprint race in Antholz with start number 1. Every few seconds a runner starts her competition, Wierer starts the race quite early with number 8. The eventual winner Marketa Davidova At this point she is already on the trail, wearing start number 5. The last athlete to start the race is the German Laura Dahlmeier. It will be exciting. Local hero Dorothea Wierer started the race with number 8. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

15.45 pm Davidova can't believe it in the finish area and can hardly be held: The Czech celebrates her first World Cup victory – Pure emotions! Dahlmeier kept it exciting until the last second, but in the end the exhausted German had to admit defeat by 4,2 seconds. Unbelievable, but that's not even enough for the podium. Kaisa Mäkäräinen (Finland/2nd place) and Marte Olsbu Roeiseland (Norway/3rd place) are on the podium alongside winner Davidova.

15.55 pm For the successful biathletes, things happen in quick succession. TV interviews, award ceremony, press conference. Winner Davidova has to go to doping control, the other two athletes on the podium are spared. Rest is out of the question at first. Marketa Davidova at the press conference after her victory in the sprint race. (Photo: C. Staffler)

16.30 pm All hell broke loose in the press center. Every media representative in Antholz who has anything to do with the biathlon races is now in this room. Writing is being done, photos are being edited and videos are being edited. At the same time, it also goes around a few meters further. In the festival tent, fans and volunteers celebrate to the music of the South Tyrolean Spitzbuam, there are “giggers” and beer in abundance.

19.00 pm While the festival tent closes its doors, the press center slowly empties. It's still open until 20 p.m., but most journalists are happy to treat themselves to a hot shower in the hotel after a long day at work - after all, there are still three more days left World Cup hustle and bustle in Antholz on the program.

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This is how a day of competition in Antholz goes

A little over an hour. A biathlon race rarely lasts longer. But how does a day in the Biathlon World Cup actually work? SportNews took a look behind the scenes in Antholz.

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