International biathlon event in Arçon

A biathlon event took place this weekend in Arçon, France, at the Florence Baverel stadium. The Summer Tour, organized under the International Biathlon Union (IBU), brought together 62 foreign athletes for the sprint competition on Saturday. Participants came from several countries, including Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom, among others.

Notable athletes compete

Among the international competitors were athletes such as Mareike Braun from Germany, Linus Kesper from Finland, and Erika Jänkä from Finland. Other notable names included Paul-Mehdi Benhayoun from Morocco and Coralie Langel from France. The event is part of the IBU Regional Events series and offers opportunities for athletes to compete in various age categories and qualify for national selections.

Event schedule details

The Saturday schedule featured a series of events starting with rifle checks and shooting trials for U17 athletes. These were followed by sprints for U17 men and women at 10:00. Later in the day, rifle checks and shooting trials were held for U19, U21, and senior women, with sprints taking place in the afternoon. Prize distributions were scheduled throughout the day for different age groups.

Additional competitions and future plans

The event also included the senior national championships in pursuit on Sunday. Younger athletes in the U17, U19, and U21 categories are participating in a mini-championship that will conclude in Arçon in October. The Florence Baverel stadium, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary during the 2026 Summer Tour, will introduce paid access for the first time during the event. A Nordic Magazine stand was also present, offering the new 2026/2027 season guide for sale.