The first BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Lenzerheide was a success – and really whetted the appetite for the World Championships in February 2025 at the same location. A total of 22,500 spectators flocked to the Roland Arena over the four days of competition. They turned the first showdown between the assembled biathlon world elite in the Graubünden holiday region into a major sports festival.
The most influential figure at the event was Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Victory in the sprint on Thursday, victory in the pursuit on Saturday, victory in the mass start on Sunday – the 27-year-old Frenchwoman achieved the triple in Lenzerheide. Among the men, Johannes Thingnes Boe, the top star of the scene, dominated. The 30-year-old Norwegian won the pursuit and mass start after finishing second in the sprint.
Lena Häcki-Gross and Niklas Hartweg were particularly impressive from the Swiss team at the first ever home World Cup. Häcki-Gross, second in the pursuit from Hochfilzen, took places 11 (pursuit), 17 (mass start) and 19 (sprint), Hartweg took places 11 (sprint), 12 (pursuit) and 15 (sprint).
The local OK has achieved a World Cup premiere at a high level. “Basically, we are very satisfied,” says Jürg Capol, CEO of the World Cup and the 2025 Biathlon World Championships in Lenzerheide. “The six extremely attractive competitions, the crowds at the weekend and the consistently atmospheric, peaceful and fair atmosphere were very pleasing.” The largest number of spectators were welcomed on Saturday, when 10,000 people gathered in the stands and along the track – including numerous celebrities such as tennis king Roger Federer and top wrestlers Christian Stucki and Armon Orlik.
The organization was put to the test in many ways on these World Cup days. This dress rehearsal can provide even more valuable insights with a view to the 2025 World Cup. “We are aware that not everything went smoothly and hope for a certain level of understanding,” says Jürg Capol. «We will analyze the concepts and processes in detail over the next few days and weeks. Where there is a need for optimization, we will implement the necessary measures to be able to hold a major event at the highest level in February 2025. In addition to isolated points of criticism, we received an overwhelmingly positive response and can say that the international biathlon family is already looking forward to returning to Lenzerheide.
(Images: Manzoni/Nordic Focus, Lenzerheide holiday region/Michael Zumsteg, Lenzerheide holiday region/Michael Zumsteg/zVg.)
2023-12-17 15:53:49
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