Biathlon: the Finns in selection this weekend in Kontiolahti
While the Norwegians will be testing themselves this weekend in Geilo (Norway), the Swedes in Idre Fjäll (Sweden) and the French in Bessans (Savoie), the Finns will not be outdone. This weekend, they are also organising selective races – known locally as the Ampumahiihdon GP – for the start of the international season.
Tickets for the World Cup will be up for grabs in two sprints scheduled for Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. at the Kontiolahti stadium (Finland).
According to the selection document published by theFinnish Biathlon Association, Suvi Minkkinen, Venla Lehtonen, Sonja Leinamo, Olli Hiidensalo, Tero Seppälä and Otto Invenius are pre-qualified for the first two legs of the season.
Finland has five quotas, so there are still two tickets to be awarded on both the men’s and women’s sides. Jaakko Ranta, Arttu Heikkinen, Jonni Mukkala, Jimi Klemettinen, Erika Jänkä, Heidi Kuuttinen, Emilia Irvankoski and Noora Kaisa Keränen will all be in the running to win them.
It should be noted that the initial programme provided for mass-starts on Sunday, but these have been replaced by sprints. Finally, the two sprints will take place without a penalty ring, but with a 25-second penalty added to the time in the event of a shooting error.
The full programme for the Finnish biathlon selections in Kontiolahti (Finland)
Friday 14th November
- 16:00-19:00: official training sessions
Saturday 15 November
- 8.30am: Race committee
- 9.00 am: Men’s and women’s shooting trials
- 10.00: men’s 10km sprint then women’s 7.5km sprint (25-second penalty)
Sunday 16 November
- 9.00 am: Men’s and women’s shooting trials
- 10.00: men’s 10km sprint then women’s 7.5km sprint (25-second penalty)
- The Finnish national team led by Suvi Minkkinen and Tero Seppälä for the 2025/2026 training season
- Finland unveils its new suit
- It’s the turn of Idre Fjäll and Kontiolahti to open snowfarming trails
