Anger at complaining Norwegians
Heated debate about biathlon races in Oberhof
January 8, 2024, 11:24 a.m
This year too, the weather poses great difficulties for the Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof. All six competitions can only be carried out with a lot of effort. The discussion about a new scheduling is picking up speed again. However, Norway’s tirades are not well received.
Philipp Horn didn’t want to leave the criticism uncommented. There is no nice weather in Oberhof? “Yes, there is!” replied the local hero energetically at the end of a turbulent weekend at the Rennsteig. The catch: “Just not in the first week of January.”
Horn expressed a thought that was once again in the minds of many people present in the Thuringian Forest this year. Heavy rain, squalls and high temperatures – all factors that made hosting the Biathlon World Cup a herculean organizational task. The men’s sprint planned for Thursday had to be postponed to Friday, and in the following days the athletes struggled with difficult track conditions.
Two problems at the beginning of January
“The first week of January is difficult,” Franz Steinle, President of the German Ski Association (DSV), agreed with Horn: “Everything that comes after that would certainly be better.” Scheduling at the beginning of the year was by no means popular with those responsible. “On the one hand for climatic reasons, but also with accommodation problems,” said the 74-year-old.
The Christmas holidays in Thuringia only ended on the last day of the competition – which caused bottlenecks in the region’s hotels. But the much bigger problem was once again the weather, which only played a role in the final relay competitions on Sunday. An indication that a later date in the racing calendar could have a positive effect on the conditions.
And so the discussion about a new place for Oberhof in the busy calendar goes into the next round. After all, it wasn’t the first time that the weather situation disrupted plans. On paper, an exchange with another station would be a sensible solution – but that is a difficult undertaking. After all, “none of the other World Cup teams are very keen to have the first week of January,” explained Steinle.
“I think that at some point it’s enough”
Despite all the known problems, all six races were able to take place in Oberhof thanks to the support of many volunteers. The fact that sharp criticism still arose from various delegations caused anger in the German camp.
“I think that at some point it’s enough,” said Horn in the direction of the Norwegian team, which had complained about “life-threatening” conditions on the cross-country ski trail at the beginning of the World Cup: “I think that you should show a little respect.” Steinle gave the organizing committee “very high praise.”
It is a heated topic that cannot be resolved quickly. But Steinle, who, in addition to his work at the DSV, also sits on the board of the World Biathlon Association IBU, made a promise: “We will discuss the calendar.” Because it is clear to him that “Oberhof is a classic” – which must not be deleted.