The IBU staged its inaugural LOOP ONE Festival on 18–19 October, combining a summer edition of biathlon with a lively festival atmosphere. Among the weekend’s array of competitions and activities, the largest ever Biathlon 4 All space proved to be one of the main highlights, drawing an impressive 5,000 visitors keen to experience the sport first-hand.

To give as many participants as possible the chance to take part, the IBU and its partners created three shooting ranges with a total of 30 laser rifle lanes across the festival grounds. The ranges were located at Hans-Jochen-Vogel Platz (HJV), the Kleine Olympiahalle and the Halbinsel, each equipped with ten lanes for both prone and standing shooting. At the HJV site, visitors were also able to try specialised rifles designed for visually impaired athletes, which use acoustic signals via headphones to help aim at the target.

The shooting ranges were supplied and supported by three partners: EcoAims (Finland), KiwiPrecision (France) and Anschütz (Germany), who provided laser rifles and on-site maintenance.

The activity attracted enthusiastic participants of all ages, from children to adults eager to test their marksmanship skills. Many visitors also stopped by the ranges as part of the Activation Pass, collecting stamps for completing biathlon-related challenges.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, a team of 50 professional instructors was on hand throughout the weekend. Recruited by the Bavarian Ski Federation, they represented regions including Arber, Chiemgau, Oberfranken, Oberland and Werdenfels, guiding newcomers through the basics of biathlon shooting and offering expert tips and encouragement.

The success of the Biathlon 4 All space underscored the growing appeal of the sport and highlighted the LOOP ONE Festival as a vibrant new addition to the biathlon calendar.

Photos: IBU