Biathlon Beyond Winter: The Rise of Summer Competitions
Discover how summer biathlon events are transforming the sport, reaching new audiences, and keeping athletes sharp year-round. Can biathlon thrive without snow, and what does it's the future hold ?
Nestled deep into the French Alps in the beautiful lakeside city of Annecy, the legendary biathlete Martin Fourcade decided to organise what has now become the biggest biathlon summer show on the calendar. On par with other events like the Blink Festival in Norway and the City Biathlon in Germany, these events bring biathlon closer to the public, promoting our winter sport during the summer and proving that summer biathlon races are very popular and people would like to see more. But how do they pull this off? Come with me as I bring you to the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival and explain the great weekend I had in Annecy.
Annecy, a town for big events
First, let’s go back a couple of months, it’s important not to start straight from race day because to build a great event, you need some great promotion, and this starts long before the event. The ticketing site opens three months before the event, and before any big name has been announced on the start list. Then, as soon as ticket sales are open, the organisers start announcing the racers one by one to slowly build the hype leading up to race day. This is incredibly effective because the paid seats in the grandstands sell out quickly. This is the same for all the summer shows, when you look at the ticketing site with a couple of weeks to go, they all show sold-out signs. This shows that these events are massive among biathlon fans, but also attract people who might not be able to attend winter events and want to experience the atmosphere during the summer.
In Annecy, the night before the races, there was a massive free concert featuring a big French name. The venue was at max capacity, and people were queuing up outside waiting to be let in. It was particularly annoying when you turn up late as I did and have to use your contact list to be let in for fear of missing out. There was also a big alpine-style athlete presentation during which the racers were introduced to the cheerful crowd and given their bib numbers. This was attended by about 7,500 people, many of whom stayed late into the night at the bar partying to the sound of the DJ. It was a late night for me as well, I wasn’t back in bed until the early hours of the morning (don’t go telling my coach!).
The races happen on Saturday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening. Nothing goes on in the morning. The whole event started off with my new team for this year doing some laps around the racecourse as 'ouvreurs.' Our main partner, Haute-Savoie le Département, sponsors the event, so this helps promote two partnerships at once. Our role is to show people that the event is starting and that they should find their spot next to the barriers so as not to miss the action when it gets going. Four races are held during the afternoon: two cross-country elimination races, where the last athlete gets eliminated each loop, and two biathlon mass starts. The biathlon events bring in the most spectators, but it’s important for there to also be other races to help entertain the fans throughout the afternoon. It’s also great when the athlete who wins the female cross-country race is a biathlete, as it has been for the last two editions (well done, girls!). All the races are incredibly fast-paced, and you don’t want to look away for very long because you’ll definitely miss some action. Each race is followed by a quick flower ceremony, and during the event, two different DJs were on to animate the party and keep people in the festival village close to the bars.
The last day of the weekend is dedicated to open races during which anybody can sign up. A kids' U15-U13 biathlon running race takes place in the morning, and a massive biathlon running event in the afternoon. This is the race I participated in, with 70+ teams of up to six racers competing to accomplish the most laps of the racecourse in under two hours. I was racing for Rossignol in a team ranging from alpine skiers to trail runners, it was a great team-building experience. We finished in a memorable seventh place behind some top-tier teams. Massive thanks to Rossignol for inviting me, it was great fun.
This weekend in Annecy highlights everything you need to organise a world-class summer biathlon event: top-tier athletes, a great venue, and lots of fan engagement. The festival village was buzzing with partners, free concerts, and open races. It’s an event I love attending, and I hope to race in it one day. But this is where it gets tricky, these events are invite-only, with only a few biathletes on the start line. While these shows do a fantastic job of promoting the sport and keeping fans engaged, we need more. If we want to fully develop summer biathlon racing, we need to expand these races to formats that resemble what we see during the winter, where any athlete can compete.
Why Summer Biathlon Matters
The Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival is just one example of how summer biathlon events can draw massive crowds and media attention. These events are more than just promotional tools; they are critical to the sport’s long-term growth. As the effects of climate change make winters less predictable, shorter, and often devoid of quality snow, summer biathlon could become a vital component of the sport’s survival.
Winter competitions face increasing challenges due to inconsistent snowfall and rising temperatures, forcing organisers to rely on artificial snow or even cancel events. Summer biathlon offers a solution by keeping athletes in shape, maintaining fan engagement, and providing venues that may not be suitable for winter events a chance to shine during the warmer months.
At the same time, summer biathlon is more accessible to the public. Many people are on holiday during the summer months, meaning they are more likely to travel, attend events, and engage with the sport. Organising fan zones, signature sessions, and interactive activities only enhance this experience, making summer biathlon a potentially significant platform for fan engagement. Fans are willing to come, and the infrastructure to host them is steadily improving. It’s a win-win situation, not just for athletes, but for the sport’s entire ecosystem. Spectators at the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival were treated to a full weekend of action, from biathlon races to concerts, all set in a fan-friendly environment. The key takeaway? Summer biathlon is not just viable, it’s in demand.
Overcoming the Challenges of Summer Biathlon
The discussion around expanding summer biathlon has sparked diverse opinions among fans and experts. While many see the potential for growth, others have reservations about logistics and maintaining the prestige of winter competitions. Let’s dive into some of these perspectives.
Some believe that summer biathlon could open up entirely new possibilities by hosting events in locations that cannot support winter biathlon. For example, expanding into warmer climates could allow nations that don’t typically get much snow to establish strong roller skiing programs and develop a foothold in the sport. This could lead to a more diverse and inclusive biathlon community, attracting athletes from places we don't traditionally associate with snow sports.
On the other hand, there is debate about whether the top athletes from the winter season should compete in summer biathlon. Some fans enjoy the idea of a completely separate summer biathlon circuit, allowing athletes who excel in roller skiing to shine without competing against winter biathlon stars. This could lead to a distinct world tour in countries like Brazil, the USA, New Zealand, and Morocco, as well as in traditional European locations like France, Germany, and Norway. A separate summer tour would allow for specialization while keeping winter biathlon as the pinnacle of the sport.
There are also different views on where summer biathlon events should be held. Some fans prefer classic mountain locations with challenging courses, while others see value in bringing the sport to urban centres to attract new audiences. Hosting events in cities could make biathlon more accessible, although it may come with higher costs. For instance, Dresden's City Biathlon has a budget of 750,000 EUR, of which 300,000 are funded publicly. The higher operating costs of urban events are a challenge, but the increased visibility and engagement could be worth the investment.
Another idea is for the IBU to encourage National Federations to hold biathlon festivals as showcases of the sport. These festivals could incorporate running biathlon with laser rifles, a more accessible version of the sport, to attract a broader audience. This could also help foster a community spirit and engage younger fans or those new to biathlon.
While the potential of summer biathlon is clear, expanding the sport beyond exhibition events like the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival comes with challenges. The first issue is athlete preparation. Currently, summer biathlon events serve as a light-hearted break from the rigorous winter season. Turning these into fully competitive events would require athletes to adjust their training schedules, risking overwork and burnout. Listen to what World Cup athlete and Olympic Champion Justine Braisaz-Bouchet had to say after the races in Annecy:
“This type of race greatly contributes to the promotion of winter sports. If it can reach families and young people while growing our discipline, so much the better! For us, it is a summer "break" in training and volume. It also allows us to meet international athletes.”
A possible solution to the challenges posed by expanding summer biathlon would be to create a distinct summer biathlon circuit. This would allow athletes who excel in summer competitions, particularly in roller skiing, to focus their energy on this unique format without the pressure of balancing it with the winter season. Such a circuit would give these athletes a dedicated platform to showcase their skills and build their careers in a space that aligns with their strengths. By separating the summer and winter seasons, it would also give winter-focused biathletes the opportunity to rest and recharge during the off-season without feeling compelled to compete year-round. This would help maintain a high level of performance in both seasons and avoid overextending the athletes.
Logistically, organizing a separate summer circuit would require different types of venues compared to the winter events. Many existing biathlon venues are tailored to snow-based competitions and may lack the infrastructure for roller ski races. For these venues to host summer events, significant investment would be needed to adapt the facilities to roller ski tracks, shooting ranges, and fan engagement zones that are safe and spectator-friendly. However, the creation of a summer circuit also opens the door for new venues, particularly those in warmer climates or lower altitudes that face challenges hosting winter events. These regions, which are often overlooked for traditional biathlon competitions, could become essential parts of a summer biathlon circuit, broadening the sport’s geographical reach.
In terms of competition format, one of the biggest challenges would be maintaining competitive integrity. Would it be fair to integrate summer biathlon results into the overall World Cup rankings, or should they remain entirely separate? Many athletes have different strengths depending on the season, and roller skiing, while similar to snow skiing, has its own unique challenges and techniques. Creating a standalone summer biathlon circuit would ensure that these competitions have their own identity, with a separate World Cup, overall rankings, and prize money. The physical and technical demands of roller skiing differ significantly from those of snow skiing. Roller skiing, while closely related to snow skiing, requires different muscle engagement, especially on varied terrains with pavement friction. Athletes who specialize in roller skiing may have an advantage in the summer circuit but face challenges in winter conditions, where snow quality and waxing techniques play a greater role. Roller skiing also introduces its own set of strategic and tactical challenges, such as faster speeds, tighter turns, and the consistency of pavement compared to varied snow conditions. This creates a distinct type of racing that deserves its own recognition. By establishing a separate summer biathlon circuit with dedicated rankings and events, we can celebrate the unique skill sets of these athletes without diluting the prestige of winter competitions. This dual approach would allow both winter and summer biathlon to develop equally, encouraging specialization while preserving the integrity of each format.
The creation of a distinct summer biathlon circuit could open the door for countries that don’t typically experience snowy winters to participate in the sport. Nations that lack the infrastructure or climate for traditional snow-based biathlon could develop strong roller skiing programs and compete in summer events, expanding the sport's global reach. Countries in warmer regions, where athletes excel in sports like cross-country running or roller sports, could find a natural transition into summer biathlon, bringing fresh talent into the mix. This would add diversity and make the competition even more dynamic, as athletes from all climates would be able to compete at a high level. By creating a summer circuit, biathlon could become a truly global sport, fostering growth in new regions and leading to innovative training and competition techniques that broaden its appeal.
The Economic and Media Potential of Summer Biathlon
Insights from Ski Jumping Athletes on Summer Competitions
To understand how other winter sports approach summer competitions, I spoke with ski jumpers Ari Repellin and World Cup winner Joséphine Pagnier. Their perspectives offered valuable insights into how summer events are managed in ski jumping and the impact they have on the sport.
According to Joséphine Pagnier, the summer circuit in ski jumping is quite developed and follows similar regulations as the Winter World Cup. However, it is important to note that the summer events do not count towards the overall Winter World Cup rankings. The summer competitions are viewed more as a way to maintain a competitive rhythm and provide training opportunities. Joséphine pointed out that while these summer events are helpful for athletes to keep their competitive edge during the offseason, they don’t attract athletes from countries without winter climates. In essence, the same athletes compete both in the summer and winter, which means the summer events don’t expand participation significantly beyond the usual ski jumping nations.
Ari Repellin echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the summer competitions, referred to as the "Grand Prix", are more relaxed compared to winter. The top athletes do not necessarily compete in every summer event, as these competitions are often seen as opportunities for B teams or for athletes in development to gain experience. Ari highlighted that while summer events are not as physically demanding as biathlon or cross-country skiing, they can be mentally exhausting, especially when athletes have to travel long distances for competitions. The summer Grand Prix usually includes a mix of individual and mixed team events across several countries, and participation fluctuates depending on an athlete’s training focus for the winter season.
Both athletes agree that summer competitions help promote ski jumping and keep the sport visible during the offseason. However, these events are mainly seen as a supplement to the winter season rather than as a full competitive circuit with equivalent prestige. For Joséphine, the summer competitions help to keep the sport alive and engaging for both athletes and spectators, while Ari noted the importance of adding fan activities to boost engagement at these summer events, especially in places where ski jumping is not as popular.
These insights from ski jumping provide valuable lessons for the potential expansion of summer biathlon. Summer ski jumping competitions serve as a great model for keeping athletes in shape and maintaining fan engagement, but they face similar challenges regarding participation from nations without winter climates and balancing the prestige of summer versus winter events. As we consider expanding summer biathlon, it's crucial to think about whether we want it to remain a supplemental part of the sport or develop into a major competitive circuit in its own right.
The Impact of Summer Ski Jumping on Biathlon Expansion
The economic potential of summer biathlon is enormous. Two distinct seasons of competition mean twice the sponsorship opportunities, more exposure for athletes, and greater media coverage. At the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival, it was clear that fans are hungry for more biathlon, even in the summer. Expanding summer events could lead to increased fan engagement, particularly in regions that might not experience harsh winters. To illustrate this, I’d love to show you how CeskyBiathlon decided to bring more attention to their summer national championships. During the races, they decided to adopt what we talked about above: they focused on the fan experience above all. They had an updated communication strategy beforehand, laser biathlon and food trucks for spectators during the race and an original race format to make the event more interesting. Finally, the fans were really close to the action during the racing and played an essential part in lighting up the track. Just look at the pictures below. Czechia has noticed the benefit of investing in their summer races, and it’s paying off.
Listen to what Karel Halberstadt, social media manager for the event, had to say:
“We are at the beginning. To expand on the summer races, we need screens, broadcast with the big networks, club rivalries, open competitions for fans with laser weapons, food trucks... maybe a move to a big city and definitely more people. But the taste is there. “
Sponsorship opportunities would also increase, offering brands the chance to support biathletes across two seasons instead of one. For athletes, this could provide vital financial support and greater visibility throughout the year. A well-organised summer circuit could also attract new audiences, as fans who can’t attend winter events might be free to travel in the summer. Moreover, cities that lack the infrastructure to host winter biathlon could become summer biathlon hubs, expanding the sport’s global reach.
Nations in warmer climates, which may lack the infrastructure for traditional snow-based biathlon, could develop strong roller skiing programs and establish a foothold in the summer biathlon scene. This expanded reach would make biathlon more diverse, attracting athletes from a wider variety of backgrounds and regions. In the same way that nations from tropical climates have excelled in sports traditionally dominated by colder countries, such as sprinting or marathons in the Summer Olympics, biathlon could see new powerhouse nations emerge in the summer season. By creating a platform that includes these countries, biathlon can position itself as a truly global sport, tapping into untapped markets and bringing in new fans, sponsors, and media attention.
Summer biathlon also provides an opportunity to introduce new technologies and innovations. Improving roller-ski tracks, integrating fan-friendly digital experiences like real-time shooting stats and VR, and developing environmentally sustainable event practices that fit into the IBU Target 30 agenda could position biathlon as a forward-thinking sport. Summer biathlon is the perfect playground for this, as there is less pressure on the sport to succeed and a lot more room to test things.
The future of biathlon doesn’t lie solely in the winter months. As climate change alters our relationship with snow, summer biathlon is becoming increasingly important for the sport’s survival and growth. Events like the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival prove that fans, athletes, and sponsors are more than willing to embrace summer competitions. But to fully unlock the potential of summer biathlon, we need to move beyond exhibition shows and create a full-fledged summer circuit. The road ahead isn’t without challenges, athlete preparation, logistical barriers, and questions around competitive integrity all need addressing. However, with thoughtful planning and collaboration across the biathlon community, summer biathlon could become a vital part of the sport’s future.
This is a conversation that must involve everyone: athletes, fans, organisers, and sponsors. Should we build a standalone summer circuit, or incorporate it into the existing World Cup structure? How can we balance the need for rest with the desire to expand the competitive calendar? These are just a few of the questions we need to discuss as we shape the future of biathlon. The sport is at a crossroads, and summer biathlon could be the key to its continued growth. Let’s come together to ensure that biathlon thrives, no matter the season.