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2005/06 Schedule
Östersund, Sweden (www.biathlon-ostersund.se)
November 23-27, 2005
Formats: Sprint, pursuit, relay
Located in northwestern Sweden, Östersund is an experienced host. Due to a lack of snow at other venues, Östersund welcomed the World Cup three times in the 2002/03 season. Major development has been completed on the shooting range and other facilities in preparation for the hosting the World Championships in 2008.
Hochfilzen, Austria (www.biathlon-hochfilzen.at)
December 7-12, 2005
Formats: Individual, sprint, relay
Hochfilzen has trails that are easily seen since they meander through the treeless meadows of the mountainous area. Last season, the venue hosted a very successful World Championships in March.
Osrblie, Slovakia (www.biathlon-osrblie.sk)
December 15-18, 2005
Formats: Individual, sprint, pursuit
At an altitude of 630m, Brezno-Osrblie hosted its first World Cup in 1996. Three times in the past fifteen years, major competitions have had to be moved to other locations due to poor snow conditions from Osrblie. The venue is located in central Slovakia under the Slovak Ore Mountains.
Oberhof, Germany (www.biathlon.oberhof.de)
January 4-8, 2006
Formats: Relay, sprint, mass start
Oberhof, located in the hills of Thuringia in eastern Germany, hosted the World Championships in 2004 to much fanfare. Spectator records were broken despite the horrendous weather, which included just about every possible type of weather. It is the first venue on the three stop Biathlon Trophy. The Rennsteig Arena was built specifically for the event two years ago, but it is more than capable of hosting a World Cup.
Ruhpolding, Germany (www.biathlon-ruhpolding.de)
January 11-15, 2006
Formats: Relay, sprint, pursuit
After the last competition concludes in Oberhof, the World Cup circuit will move four hours south to Ruhpolding, on the German-Austrian border near Salzburg. Surrounded by the monolithic cliffs of the German Alps, the venue is the second stop of the Biathlon Trophy. Attracting spectators from nearby Austria as well as southern Germany, Ruhpolding features exciting crowds cheering on the athletes.
Antholz, Italy (www.biathlon-antholz.it)
January 19-22, 2006
Formats: Sprint, pursuit, mass start
Combining biathlon with the incredible of the Dolomite Alps, Antholz-Anterselva is one of the high points on the World Cup. It is located in South Tyrol, a region formerly part of German-speaking Austria, but now an autonomous province of Italy. The area is a pleasant blend of two cultures. It has hosted a World Cup event almost every season since 1978. Antholz will host its fifth World Championships in 2007.
Cesana-San Sicario, Italy (www.torino2006.org)
February 10-26, 2006
XX Olympic Winter Games (Torino)
Formats: Individual, sprint, pursuit, relay, mass start
After only one test event last February, the venue in Cesana-San Sicario will host the world for the biathlon events of the XX Olympic Winter Games. It is the most challenging course on the international circuit. This difficult could produce some surprising results.
Pokljuka, Slovenia (www.biathlon-pokljuka.com)
March 8-12, 2006
Formats: Sprint, pursuit, mixed relay
The athletes will get a respite from high-altitude following the event in San Sicario, but will have to travel more than ten hours east to the Slovenian venue of Pokljuka. It is located up a long, steep access road fifteen miles from Bled on a military base in the Julian Alps. Pokljuka hosted the 2001 World Championships.
Kontiolahti, Finland (www.biathlon-kontiolahti.fi)
March 16-19, 2006
Formats: Sprint, pursuit, mass start
Kontiolahti has been a regular member of the biathlon circuit, but last season it hosted the Youth & Junior World Championships in place of a World Cup. It is located in the region of Karelia, on the central eastern border with Russia. The trails skirt a ridge above a lake. 1.5-km of the ski track is cooled by a refrigeration system for use in the early fall.
Holmenkollen, Norway (www.skiforeningen.no/wcb)
March 23-26, 2006
Formats: Sprint, pursuit, mass start
A regular member of the World Cup circuit, the venue on the outskirts of Oslo will host the final Biathlon World Cup of the 2004/05 season. It has hosted a World Cup event each season for the past five seasons. When the World Championships were held here in 2000, more than 85,000 spectators cheered on their favorite athletes.
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