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Training sessions underway in the Vysočina Arena before the 8th round of BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon

Soft wind and warm rays of sun have been caressing the Vysočina Aréna in the recent days. Spring is coming soon, yet the winter season is still in full swing for biathletes. Hard training sessions before the 8^th round of BMW IBU World Cup were underway in Nové Město na Moravě on Tuesday, March 2, as the races start in two days. Thursday will present Women 4 × 6 km Relay Competition.

The Czech Republic will welcome athletes from more than 30 countries. “About 500 persons are accredited for the red team zone, which is a usual number when compared to the previous events in Nové Město,” said Vlastimil Jakeš, the Chief of Competition. “Athletes from all prominent biathlon countries will be here; only one tiny party from New Zealand have excused themselves from the event,” he added.

Vysočina Arena has been sealed tightly, the tracks are fenced and guarded by a security agency. “We divided the whole grounds into three fundamental zones. I have already mentioned the red one that is reserved for teams; the blue one is for organizers and jurors, the yellow one is for the media,” the Chief of Competition explained. The number of organizers and auxiliary staff was reduced as much as possible. “The fact that fans are not allowed to come to the races made the situation easier for us. Viewed from this perspective, it is rather paradoxical,” said Jakeš.

The tracks are in good condition despite the current warm weather. At least a meter of snow covers all tracks and the stadium. “We did not want to underestimate anything, also because the FIS Cross-country World Cup had been planned to take place here originally. The winter has been cold, and this enabled us to work on the tracks and prepare them well. Even our snow depot is so full that it will provide us snow in two subsequent winters to come,” Vlastimil Jakeš said with a smile.

Czech national team have nominated nine racers. The women’s category will present the recent World Champion in the Individual Race Markéta Davidová. The other female athletes are Lucie Charvátová, Jessica Jislová and Eva Puskarčíková. Michal Krčmář, Ondřej Moravec, Jakub Štvrtecký, Adam Václavík and Milan Žemlička are the Czech men to start into the race. “We take it for granted that the starting roster could change in the 9^th round of the World Cup series that will take place in the Vysočina Arena next week,” said Ondřej Rybář, the Sports Director of the Czech Biathlon Union. “We might invite some juniors from the Junior World Championships that are currently taking place in Obertilliach, if they manage to achieve good results.”