The International Biathlon Union IBU plans to start the World Cup season in September

The opening of the Biathlon World Cup season in Kontiolahti at the end of November is being prepared based on different implementation models. A decision on organizing the first competitions of the season is expected from the International Biathlon Union IBU in September.

Preparations for the cup opening scheduled for the last weekend of November already started at the beginning of summer.

─The starting point has been that we build the event according to the original plan, that is, that there will also be an audience. When the restrictions prevail, we will act according to the instructions of the regional administration authorities, for example in the same style as is currently done in the matches of the bowling series, says event director Sami Leinonen from Kontiolahti Urheilijat ry.

IBU policy in September

The International Biathlon Union IBU, which manages the rights to the event and the entire World Cup, has said that it will outline the competition arrangements for the first third of the season during September.

─After the decision, we are ready to open ticket sales quickly and we can make more detailed plans for practical implementation. We are closely monitoring the situation together with the authorities, the IBU and the Finnish Biathlon Union.

However, Leinonen does not want to start fiddling with the arrangements when the event is still three months away.

─We would all like the final information as quickly as possible, but there are many moving parts and many factors influence decisions. We expect that we will have the opportunity to tell you more about the matter immediately after the IBU's policy.

More information: Sami Leinonen, event manager, Kontiolahti Athletes, 050-557 8003

The program for the Biathlon World Cup opening 28.-29.11. Kontiolahti

Photo: The winning trio of the men's sprint race Johannes Thingnes Bø, Martin Fourcade and Emilien Jacquelin in March in Kontiolahti. Photo: Piia Kinnunen.