What is Biathlon?
Biathlon is an Olympic sport combining cross-country skiing and precision rifle shooting. The combination of the two events adds to the unpredictability, suspense, and excitement! After skiing the course, athletes arrive at the shooting range with a racing heartbeat, heaving chest, and ticking clock. Targets are 4.5cm (the size of a Timbit) for prone shooting and 11.5cm (the size of a CD) for standing shooting, at a 50m distance on the shooting range.
BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 Canmore
More than 200 athletes from 25 nations are expected to compete in Canmore, marking the first international biathlon competition to be held at the newly renovated Canmore Nordic Centre. Free shuttle transportation is available from downtown Canmore, with an array of community events including ice-skating and tobogganing available at the Nordic Centre.
Daily medal and season long winners will be awarded at the Canmore Nordic Centre after each day of racing. The action is fast and thrilling, and there is no better place to take it all in than under the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies. There’s a ticket for everyone, with free general admission, and tickets available for a single-day or for the full event. For more information and tickets please visit www.canmorebiathlon.ca and use promocode WINTERFUN for 10% off all VIP ticket packages!
For those looking for an inside the ropes experience, you can also be one of the 200+ volunteers that brings the World Cup to life. There are a variety of volunteer positions available, regardless of experience level. For information on volunteering head over to www.canmorebiathlon.ca/volunteers
Race Program
Please note times are subject to change – for more information, including up to the minute race results, shuttle transportation times, and race schedules please visit www.canmorebiathlon.ca
14 March
SPRINT - Women 10:40 - 11:50
Time is of the essence! In the sprint athletes are racing against the clock in a time trial, starting at 30-second intervals. Three loops are skied with two shooting stages in between (prone and standing). Each missed target requires a 150m penalty loop. The stakes are high as the top 60 athletes qualify for the Pursuit competition!
15 March
SPRINT - Men 10:40 - 11:50
Following the same format as the Women on Thursday, the Men take to the course on Friday, looking to advance to the weekend races in Canmore.
16 March
PURSUIT - Women 11:10 - 11:55
PURSUIT - Men 15:10 - 15:55
The top 60 athletes from the sprint move ahead and the chase is on! The start interval is determined by the sprint results. Competitors ski 5 loops with 4 shooting stages – the first two prone, and second two standing. A penalty loop of 150m is required for each missed shot before starting the next lap. This competition is full of big moves and sudden drama, especially in the final shooting stage, when victory is often on the line. The first to cross the finish line is the winner! The Women take centre stage in the morning, with the Men competing in the afternoon.
17 March
MASS START - Women 11:10 - 11:55
MASS START - Men 15:10 - 15:55
Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion to the races in Canmore during the Mass Start, as 30 athletes start simultaneously. Tactics abound with quick, accurate shooting being essential. Five laps of the course are skied with four shooting stages in between – the first two prone, the second two standing. A penalty loop of 150m is required for each missed shot before starting the next lap. The first across the finish line is the winner!
