Biathlon | Bessans, Geilo, Idre Fjäll, Lenzerheide, Ruhpolding, Obertilliach or Martell-Val Martello: the calendar of selection races organised before the start of the international season

Biathlon: selection races approaching

The summer biathlon competitions are over. Now, as November approaches and the first slopes open, it ‘s cross-country skis that the biathletes will be putting on their bibs next.

With the 2025/2026 World Cup season opening in just over thirty days’ time in Östersund (Sweden), Nordic Magazine has managed to list the dates of the various selective races organised by the world’s top nations.

The Canadians will kick off the hostilities from 4 to 8 November on the Canmore snowfarm (Canada). Then it’s on to the weekend of 15 and 16 November: the Finns, in Kontiolahti (Finland), the Norwegians, in Geilo (Norway), and the Swedes, in Idre Fjäll (Sweden), will be vying for international tickets.

On the same dates, then on 18 November, the French will do the same in Bessans (Savoie), with places in the IBU Cup and the Women’s World Cup up for grabs. The last men’s World Cup ticket will be up for grabs in Geilo.

Selections made less than a week before the start of the World Cup

On 17 and 18 November, the Italians will be in selection at Martell-Vall Martello (Italy), as will the Swiss at Lenzerheide (Switzerland) from 17 to 22 November, the Austrians at Obertilliach (Austria) on 19 and 20 November and the Germans at Ruhpolding (Germany) from 21 to 23 November.

Finally, the Czechs will compete for international places at a training camp organised in Vuokatti (Finland) in the same way as the Americans – who have already organised their internal selections in Soldier Hollow (USA) – in Obertilliach (Austria).

The programme of selection races for the main nations

• 4-8 November: Canadian selections in Canmore 🇨🇦
• 15-16 November: Finnish selections at Kontiolahti 🇫🇮
• 15-16 November: Norwegian selections at Geilo 🇳🇴
• 15-16 November: Swedish selections at Idre Fjäll 🇸🇪
• 15-16 and 18 November: French selections at Bessans 🇫🇷
• 17-18 November: Italian selections at Martell-Val Martello 🇮🇹
• 17-22 November: Swiss selections in Lenzerheide 🇨🇭
• 19-20 November: Austrian selections at Obertilliach 🇦🇹
• 21-23 November: German national teams in Ruhpolding 🇩🇪

• The full programme for the 2025/2026 World Cup, with the exact timetable for each event, has been released.
• Three races in four days, two sprints and a mass-start: the programme and dates for the traditional FFS selections in Bessans.