Over 200 athletes enjoyed the IBU CER Cup in Letohrad

First weekend of September saw Letohrad Czech biathlon centre hosting the IBU Central European Regional Cup for the second time. Plenty of fans arrived to enjoy exciting competitions, including local legends Roman Dostál, Michal Šlesingr and Ondřej Moravec as well as another Olympic and World Championship medallist Veronika Vítková.

A compact programme consisting of Sprint, Supersprint and Pursuit competitions was scheduled for over 225 athletes from 5 countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, and Hungary) to test their shape at the end of the summer training block. For many young biathletes, this was the first international test of its kind in their careers.

Lucie Jandurova, Ilona Plechacova, Anna Kulhankova and Lukas Kulhanek topped the standings of youth categories with two gold medals, while Ema Kapustová (SVK) and Jonáš Mareček dominated the junior categories. Hubert Matusik of Poland in M19 secured a precious gold medal for Poland.

Alex Cisar of Slovenia proved best in men’s competitions winning both Supersprint and Pursuit competitions. “I was looking forward to coming to Letohrad from the start of my summer training. I felt almost at home here, the fans are unbelievable. The atmosphere during the super sprint competitions was electric. The happier I am I could deliver my best biathlon. Such competitions you simply have to enjoy,” Cisar said after the Supersprint night event.

The remaining title in the Sprint competition was claimed by Czech’s Vítězslav Hornig, while Lucie Charvátová (Sprint), Natálie Jurčová (Supersprint), Tereza Voborníková (Pursuit) shared gold medals in the Women’s category.