While the first single race of the season (Individual Women, 17.15 h) is taking place in Östersund today, the preparations for biathlon’s second world cup stop off are in full swing. Almost ten months after the Biathlon World Championships of Hochfilzen, six highly anticipated world cup competitions will be held in the PillerseeTal from 8 to 10 December.

“Snow has been applied to the course since Monday and the 2.5 km course is already fully prepared for the competitions. The final 800 meters for the 3.3 km course are being prepared at the moment. The construction of the grand stands has been finished and overall 80% of the preparations in the stadium area have been completed”, as per Franz Berger the preparations are on target. The OC Chairman has several reasons to be joyful at the moment. “The snowfall and the low temperatures are playing into our hands. The ticket pre-sale is going strong as well and, therefore, the grand stand seating area has been expanded. The ÖSV-win in the Single-Mixed-Relay has also contributed positively to the general interest”, said Franz Berger who can count on a tried and tested team for 24th world cup event in Hochfilzen. The Organizing Team is expecting a total of around 30.000 spectators on the three competition days.

The World Cup Hochfilzen is an important benchmark for the biathlon elite in the Olympic season. Next to the international superstars like Martin Fourcade (FRA), Ole-Einar Björndalen (NOR) or Laura Dahlmeier (GER), the ÖSV-team, among them Simon Eder, Julian Eberhard and Lisa Hauser, must be included in the group of favorites. Local hero Dominik Landertiger who had to undergo disc surgery will probably have to pass on his home world cup but “Landi” is expected to be fully fit again for the Olympic Games. “Along with to the Olympic competitions in South Korea, the home races in Hochfilzen totally are a season highlight. Many of us still cherish the awesome world championships with two medals and, therefore, there is an according thrill of anticipation for all athletes. We want to compete for a podium in the men’s competitions”, said Markus Gandler, ÖSV Sports Director in charge of Biathlon.  

*** Program BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup Hochfilzen 2017 ***

Friday, 08.12.2017:
1130 hrs: Sprint Men
1415 hrs: Sprint Women

Saturday, 09.12.2017:
1215 hrs: Pursuit Men
1445 hrs: Pursuit Women

Sunday, 10.12.2017:
1130 hrs: Relay Men
1410 hrs: Relay Women

*** Facts and figures of the IBU BMW Biathlon World Cup Hochfilzen (8.-10.12.2017) ***24th world cup event

• 309 athletes from 34 nations (according to IBU quota)
• 380 volunteers
• 300 media representatives to be expected
• 10.000 cubic meters of snow required (5500m³ on the course, 4500m³ in the stadium area).
• 30.000 fans to be expected