Biathlon: the Swedes race this weekend in Idre Fjäll against strong international competition
As in Bessans (Savoie) and Geilo (Norway), the first biathlon races take place this weekend in Sweden. As tradition would have it, the Swedish opening races – known locally as Sverigepremiär – take place on the snowfarm in Idre Fjäll (Sweden).
Although the track has been limited to 2km due to the high temperatures, the competitions have been maintained… with one adjustment. Two sprints will be held back-to-back on Saturday (10.00am and 12.15pm) and Sunday (10.00am and 12.00pm) , while the penalty laps have been cancelled and replaced by time penalties (22 seconds per missed target for the ladies, 25 seconds for the men).
Against the best Swedes, there will be some great international competition , with the Germans taking part (except for Franziska Preuss, who is finishing her preparation in Obertilliach, Austria), as well as the Italians Lukas Hofer and Lisa Vittozzi, the Swiss Arnaud Du Pasquier, the Estonians and the Ukrainians.
The full programme for the opening Swedish biathlon races in Idre Fjäll (Sweden)
Friday 14th November
- 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm: men’s and women’s official training sessions
Saturday 15 November
- 9.15am-9.45am: Men’s shooting trials
- 10.00: Men’s 10km sprint (22-second penalty)
- 11.30am-12.00pm: ladies’ shooting trials
- 12.15pm: women’s 7.5km sprint (25-second penalty)
Sunday 16 November
- 9.15am-9.45am: Men’s shooting trials
- 10.00: Men’s 10km sprint (22-second penalty)
- 11.15am-11.45am: Women’s shooting trials
- 12.00: women’s 7.5 km sprint (25-second penalty)
- The Swedish national team begins its final preparation camp on the snow of Idre Fjäll
- Sprint test at Idre Fjäll: Anna Magnusson and Martin Ponsiluoma win with 10/10
- Germany goes on a two-week training camp in Idre Fjäll… except for Franziska Preuss, who will finish her preparation in Obertilliach
- The Italian stars head for Scandinavia: Lisa Vittozzi and Lukas Hofer go to Idre Fjäll and then Östersund, while Tommaso Giacomel and Dorothea Wierer go to Geilo.
- Change of programme at Idre Fjäll due to lack of snow
