On the 8th of February the IBU World Championships Biathlon 2017 will open in Hochfilzen/Tyrol. The entire region is looking forward to the third international championships held in the PillerseeTal. “Hochfilzen has a tried and tested organizing team. Moreover, the fully updated and augmented stadium has undoubtedly set a new benchmark for the sports of biathlon. With this perfectly tailored infrastructure, the terrific ticket sales and the many, surely highly exciting WCH competitions in mind, we are convinced that engaging world championships are to be expected”, say Prof. Peter Schröcksnadel and Dr. Klaus Leistner, executive directors of the WCH Corporation, who are looking forward to the biathlon season’s highlight in February with great pleasure. The general conditions for an unforgettable sports party could not be any better.

Just in time for the season’s highlight that will take place from the 8th to the 19th of February 2017, the stadium of Hochfilzen is shining in new splendor and leaves nothing to be desired neither by the teams from more than 40 nations nor by the spectators. “Large parts of the new venue have already been tested at last year’s world cup.  The new main building concluded in October has also passed its test by fire. We are ready for the WCH and are looking forward to a huge, cheerful and intimate sports party”, says the glowing project manager Franz Berger after the IBU Junior Cup where the up-and-coming talents from 36 nations have met at the WCH-stadium of Hochfilzen.
*** 95.000 tickets sold already ***
Ticket pre-sales for the WCH are promising a true fan spectacle, which should also translate to an excellent atmosphere in the stadium.  “We are closing in on 100.000 tickets. So far, 95.000 tickets have already been sold and the phones keep on ringing”, states the organizing committee delighted by the public interest. The international championships are promising pure excitement. The slogan for the men’s competitions will probably be “All against One”. So far, French biathlon star Martin Fourcade has proven almost unbeatable this season winning seven out of eight single-competitions. Athletes from Russia, Germany and Norway where Ole Einar Björndalen, the most successful biathlete in history, is still good for a medal will be among his biggest contenders. From an Austrian point of view, Julian Eberhard has recently given the best impression. Besides the strong skier from Salzburg, hopes for a home-medal are pinned on quick shooter Simon Eder and local hero Dominik Landertinger. After the first third of the season the women show athletes from seven nations within the top ten, among them ÖSV-hopeful Lisa Hauser who has shown some incredible consistency at the beginning of the season. Apart from breathtaking duels for gold, silver and bronze the spectators may also be looking forward to some spectacular side events. Along with live music and entertainment in the stadium the spectators will be provided with a diverse supporting program in the “Fan-Village” located in the center of Hochfilzen before and after the medal ceremonies.

Attention! The accreditation period for media representatives ends on 01.01.2017
IBU Media Center:http://mediacenter.biathlonresults.com

*** Competition Program IBU Biathlon WCH Hochfilzen 2017 ***

• Friday, 10.02.2017, Sprint Women, 1445 hrs
• Saturday, 11.02.2017, Sprint Men, 1445 hrs
• Sunday, 12.02.2017, Pursuit Women, 1030 hrs
• Sunday, 12.02.2017, Pursuit Men, 1445 hrs
• Wednesday, 15.02.2017, Individual Women, 1430 hrs
• Thursday, 16.02.2017, Individual Men, 1430 hrs
• Friday, 17.02.2017, Relay Women, 1445 hrs
• Saturday, 18.02.2017, Relay Men, 1445 hrs
• Sunday, 19.02.2017, Mass Start Women, 1130 hrs
• Sunday, 19.02.2017, Mass Start Men, 1445 hrs