Biathlon: snow problems at Stiklestad
From Friday to Sunday, the Norwegian biathlon season draws to a close with the national championships in Stiklestad (Norway). An event with sprints, mass-starts and relays on the programme, it is hanging on by a thread as the competition site is desperately short of snow.
As a result, these days the organisation is obliged to transport snow from the neighbouring mountains.
“We recognise that this is not an optimal solution, and we understand that transporting snow to host the Norwegian Championships is not ideal, explained Morten Djupvik, Secretary General of the Norwegian Biathlon Association, in a press release. We take the environmental challenge very seriously and have been working for a long time to reduce our impact on the environment. That’s why this situation is particularly difficult. We must now use the experience of this championship to examine the entire process relating to snowmaking at our events.”
“The national championships are an important moment for the athletes in the youth, junior and senior categories who have been training all season. Many people have booked their travel and accommodation, and a cancellation would have had significant financial consequences. We considered several solutions, but to organise the event and protect the participants, we feel this is the best option,” he continues.
The programme for the Norwegian Biathlon Championships in Stiklestad (Norway)
Friday 28 March
- 11.00: women’s 7.5 km sprint
- 2pm: Men’s 10 km sprint
Saturday 29th March
- 4.35pm: women’s 12.5 km mass-start
- 5.30pm: men’s 15km mass-start
Sunday 30 March
- 11:30am: women’s relay
- 1.50pm: Men’s relay
