Biathlon World Cup premiere on Wednesday – a championship that will start in what looks like autumn weather. Strong winds damaged the WC arena last night and today’s training was cancelled.
With two days until the first competition in the winter Biathlon World Cup, the organizers in the Czech Nove Mesto are forced to sweat a lot. Last night’s strong winds have caused serious damage to the area where the Biathlon World Cup is to be decided.
The International Biathlon Union IBU gave a grim statement on Monday.
“Due to the bad weather (especially the wind) there has been major damage to the stadium. A lot of work needs to be done in the coming days to secure conditions that measure up,” the IBU announced.
Finland’s national team captain Erik Kulstad gives his view on the conditions after a run with the Finnish national team riders. The original plan was a training session in the WC terrain, but the organizers were forced to hastily close all access to the arena.
– We have only received information that they have been forced to repair some of the stadium area. Then Monday’s training was canceled and then we can just adapt, it’s that simple, says Kulstad.
Caption Erik Kulstad.
Image: Janne Isaksson / Yle
Erik Bartlett Kulstad
– The way the situation looked this morning, anything else would have been stupid. If an accident had happened, everything could have been cancelled, so it’s good to be on the safe side, says the Norwegian Biathlon Federation’s sports manager Per Arne Botnan to NRK.
“Absolutely not in the danger zone”
Norwegian NRK and Swedish Radiosporten testify to the damage that has occurred at the WC arena. According to NRK, trees have blown down, signs have fallen and there are large amounts of debris from trees in the ski track.
Now the organizers are working to save Wednesday’s WC start.
– Terrible conditions. It has been very windy and the snow is pitch black, says NRK’s expert Ola Lunde.
The championship starts with a mixed relay.
– It is absolutely not in the danger zone. They added more snow when we were out running. There will be competitions, there is no talk of the championship itself being threatened. I am not concerned in that way, says Kulstad.
Works with security
The weather forecasts are similar to a Finnish late autumn with plus temperatures, rain and wind. For the weekend, ten plus degrees and precipitation are promised.
Out in the terrain there is no natural snow, but a loop of artificial snow and saved reserve snow will save the organizers on that front.
– It’s almost only green here, but it’s something we’ve had to get used to in recent years in Europe. It is a given that it is not the classic winter feeling, but everything is good as long as there are fair conditions to compete in, says Kulstad.
Caption When the World Cup was decided in Oberhof earlier this year, there was also green around the riders.
Image: EPA-EFE
Biathlon, Julia Simon
Instead, the organizers must primarily work to ensure the safety of the active in the forest.
– Right now it is simply dangerous. There are trees that are about to fall over, says NRK’s expert Lunde.
– I haven’t heard anything about it, but as it was windy yesterday, I’m not surprised, says Kulstad.
Is the wind opening for Finland?
There is no doubt that the conditions will play a role. It will be heavy on the ski track, but the wind may open up for Finland.
– It will definitely affect the competitions, but we must be able to handle it as well and actually it is positive for our team. There will be competitions where other than the fastest on the ski track have a chance, says Kulstad.
The national team captain says he hopes for stable efforts from the Finnish team. It can give good placements during the WC days, and in the mixed relay there are opportunities.
– We have shown that we can keep up well in relays. I don’t want to say any result goal, but the team that we field with can make for a fun day for Finland.
Yle broadcasts the entire Biathlon World Cup live on TV and at the Yle Arena. Wednesday’s broadcast from the mixed relay starts at 18.00.
2024-02-05 16:05:54
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