A total of 269 athletes from 29 nations will participate in the sixth stage of the IBU World Cup from Thursday to Sunday. The event kicked off today with the first official women's training session. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the men's training session is scheduled from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For Antholz, which has hosted World Cup races since 1978, this event also serves as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Under bright sunshine, a touch of competitive spirit was already in the air at the Südtirol Arena on Tuesday as the world's top biathletes completed their first laps and practiced at the shooting range. On Wednesday at 4:30 pm, the FISI press conference will follow, featuring star athletes Dorothea Wierer, Lukas Hofer and Tommaso Giacomel.
South Tyrolean fans are keeping an eager eye on Wierer. The 34-year-old athlete from Rasen achieved her best result of the season last weekend in Ruhpolding, Germany finishing fourth. Now, at her home competition in Antholz, “Doro” is aiming for her first podium finish. In total, 11 Italian athletes (“Azzurri”) are competing in Antholz this year. Alongside Wierer, the women's roster includes local heroes Rebecca Passler and Hannah Auchentaller, as well as Michele Carrara, Samuela Comola and Martina Trabucchi. In the men’s competition, all eyes are on Tommaso Giacomel, the Ruhpolding mass start winner. The Trentino-born athlete, who attended the Sportschule Mals sports school, celebrated his first-ever World Cup victory and arrives in Antholz brimming with confidence. Also competing are Lukas Hofer from Montal, as well as Didier Bionaz, Daniele Cappellari, and Elia Zeni.
This year’s World Cup schedule in Antholz will kick off with the sprints for women and men over the first two days. The course lengths are 7.5 km for women and 10 km for men. Events begin at 2:30 pm on both Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, January 25th, there are two events: first the women’s pursuit, followed by the men’s relay. The final day, Sunday, the schedule is the reverse.
Final test before the 2026 Olympics
This year’s World Cup has special significance for all the athletes, as it is the dress rehearsal for the largest event Antholz has ever hosted. In 2026, Antholz will proudly welcome the Winter Olympic Games.
Antholz World Cup Schedule:
Thursday, January 23, 2025
2:30 pm: Women’s 7.5 km Sprint
Thursday, January 24, 2025
2:30 pm: Men’s 10 km Sprint
Saturday, January 25, 2025
1 pm: Women’s 10 km Pursuit
2:55 pm: 4 x 7.5 km Men’s Relay
Sunday, January 26, 2025
12:05 pm: 4 x 6 km Women’s Relay
2:45 pm: Men’s 12.5 km Pursuit