World’s best biathletes set to compete at Loop One Festival
The inaugural Loop One Festival will boast a star-studded lineup with the world’s best male and female biathletes and para biathletes ready to take to Munich’s Olympic Park for a season opener like no other.
Swapping the mountains for the city, some of biathlon’s biggest names will battle it out on Sunday 19 October in the Super Sprint allowing fans to get closer to their heroes than ever before. Access to the course to watch the race will open to all with fans able to enter and enjoy the spectacle for free.
In the women’s race, 9 of the top 10 highest scoring athletes from last season’s World Cup total score will compete in Munich, led by overall winner and local favourite, Franziska Preuss (GER). Fellow German compatriot Selina Grotian (GER) will also take part, giving the home fans a strong Germany pair to cheer on.
Preuss will reignite her rivalry with last season’s second place finisher, Lou Jeanmonnot (FRA), who narrowly missed out on top spot last season and will be looking for redemption in this season opener. The incredible lineup also features comebacks from Lisa Vittozzi (ITA), who returns from a back injury and Janina Hettich-Walz (GER) returns from maternity leave.
Franziska Preuss:
“It will be amazing to race there. Munich is the closest big city to Ruhpolding, so it’s really nearby, and the Olympic Park is such a unique and special venue. Hopefully, the weather will be good, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of fans outside. There’s also a great programme alongside the race, so maybe some new people will discover biathlon live — and hopefully they’ll cheer for us during the winter season as well.”
Lou Jeanmonnot:
“For the fans, a summer race brings something new and could certainly introduce something more regular in the future. I also hope that we can all enjoy this celebration together with warm and sunny weather. For me, it will be an opportunity to try new things, to enjoy a race with a little less stress, and maybe also to feel freer to spend time with athletes from other countries.”
The men’s competition matches the women’s for star quality. Last season’s men’s overall World Cup winner, Sturla Holm Laegreid (NOR), will head up a strong Norwegian team with France also sending their very best athletes. Last year’s World Championships medallists from Germany, Philipp Nawrath and Justus Strelow will be aiming to medal on home soil, while exciting up-and-comers Tommaso Giacomel (ITA) and Campbell Wright (USA) will be hoping to disrupt the established elite.
Sturla Holm Laegreid:
“Loop One Festival sounds fun! I don’t really know what to expect, but it will be great to see all the other athletes from the other nations again. Starting the Olympic season like this is interesting. I think we will see different power dynamics than we do in the winter, and maybe it will bring more excitement going into the season.
“I’ve never been to the Olympic Park in Munich so I’m looking forward to it! It’s going to be a special experience to rollerski through the landscape and I’ll have to remind myself not to get lost staring at the scenery.“
The day before the Super Sprint competition, fans will able to enjoy elite Para Biathlon as well as youth biathlon. Paralympic gold medallists and multiple world champions, Anja Wicker (GER) and Mark Arendz (CAN) will both be among those competing in the para competition.
In addition to the incredible races, there is a whole host of activities for fans and families to enjoy with live concerts, energetic workout sessions, interactive events and more. Fans will even be able to meet German biathlon legends Magdalena Neuner, Arnd Peiffer and Benedikt Doll at the Biathlon 4 All stations and the Home of Biathlon. For more information on what is on over the course of the festival click here.
The festival aims to demonstrate how this fusion of elite sport, culture and entertainment can be held to the highest sustainability standards. For more information on the sustainable practices that will be in place, click here.
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