The biathlon event in Arçon, scheduled for October 17 and 18, will be held at the Florence Baverel stadium in Arçon, located in the Doubs department of eastern France. This venue has become a central location for French biathlon, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and shooting. The ESSS Montbenoit club, which manages the stadium, has 247 members and operates with just two employees. Since 2009, the stadium has hosted an annual event known as the Summer Tour, which supports the French summer biathlon championships. Joël Pourchet, president of ESSS, noted during a press conference that the stadium has become essential within the French biathlon community.
The reputation of Arçon extends beyond France, attracting international athletes from countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This international presence highlights the stadium's appeal and recognition. The event is of particular significance to the Haut-Doubs region, as it brings attention and activity to the area. This year, the competition is scheduled for October 17 and 18, even though it will be competing with the Loop One Festival of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) in Munich, Germany. Despite this, organizers expect the Arçon Summer Tour to maintain a high standard. Local athletes such as Quentin Fillon-Maillet, Oscar Lombardot, Lou Jeanmonnot, Justine Braisaz-Bouchet, Jeanne Richard, and Camille Bened will participate in the event.
The importance of the Arçon Summer Tour goes beyond sports. The stadium also serves as a significant economic tool for the region, contributing to local businesses and employment. However, maintaining and modernizing the facility requires substantial financial resources. The organizers noted that the current economic climate makes funding more challenging, with decreasing support despite the loyalty of sponsors of the Promotionnelle des 24h de Montbenoit Association and the Entente Sportive Saugette de Ski. These sponsors must cover the stadium’s annual maintenance costs, estimated at around 20,000 euros. A 15,000 euro project, funded by the Community of Communes, is currently repairing the asphalt of the ski-roller tracks, which had developed cracks in certain areas.
To help address these financial challenges, organizers have decided to charge an entry fee for the competition this year. The fee is set at 5 euros per day for individuals over 15 years old. In exchange for this contribution, attendees will receive a consumption token worth 2.5 euros. The goal is not to restrict access but to involve the public in financing the event, which requires significant human and material resources. This additional revenue could support the stadium’s maintenance, the organization of competitions, and necessary modernization efforts.
The full program for the Arçon biathlon Summer Tour (Doubs) is as follows:
Arçon Biathlon Summer Tour Set for October with Paid Entry and International Participation
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