Biathlon | Black screen on the B circuit: why won’t the IBU Cup be broadcast this season?

Biathlon: no IBU Cup on TV screens this winter

Over the last two seasons, biathlon fans have got into the habit of logging on toL’Equipe ‘s digital platform to follow the races on the IBU Cup circuit, the antechamber to the high-profile World Cup. This winter, that will no longer be the case.

But this is not a choice made by the media company owned by the Amaury Group, which would have decided to cut back on biathlon, for example. The decision comes directly from theInternational Biathlon Union (IBU).

“The IBU and Eurovision [which produced and broadcast the events, editor’s note] decided not to broadcast the IBU Cup any more, but to revert to digital coverage with the publication of highlights and reports. This proved to be more effective”, reveals the IBU’s communications department, when asked about this by Nordic Magazine.

While there will be no footage of the stages in Idre Fjäll (Sweden), Geilo (Norway), Obertilliach (Austria), Arber (Germany), Brezno-Osrblie (Slovakia), Ridnaun-Val Ridanna (Italy) and Otepää (Estonia), the European Championships in Martell-Val Martello (Italy) will be broadcast from 29 January to 2 February.

The World Youth and Junior Championships in Östersund (Sweden), scheduled from 26 February to 5 March, will also be broadcast. “Both events will be broadcast in their entirety,” says the IBU.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

• IBU Cup: full programme for the inaugural leg at Idre Fjäll
• Firsts for Martin Botet, Axel Garnier and Voldiya Galmace-Paulin: the full French team selection for the IBU Cups in Idre Fjäll and Geilo
• The last two men’s World Cup places will be decided in the sprints at the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll
• “I’ll have to be a natural to produce my biathlon at 100% of what I know how to do”: Oscar Lombardot prepares to stake his place in the World Cup at the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll
• Théo Guiraud-Poillot’s ambitions a few days before the start of the IBU Cup: “I’m not necessarily aiming for the World Cup at the start of the season, but…”.
• “I’m on the way up and in great shape”: the joy of Axel Garnier from Haut-Savoie, who has qualified for the IBU Cup for the first time.
• “There’s a chance I’ll qualify, but it’s also possible I won’t make it through and my season won’t stop”: Emilien Claude’s state of mind ahead of the IBU Cup in Idre Fjäll, where he’ll be playing for his place in the World Cup.