2011 WU Update: Biathlon Test Event

ERZURUM – Yesterday December 21^st, the Organizing Committee of the 25^th Winter Universiade in Erzurum held the official Test Event for biathlon. The IBU Technical Delegate (TD) Ubaldo PRUCKER (ITA) was present to help and support the OC, while FISU was presented with Milan AUGUSTIN (Director to the Winter Universiade) and Jiho KIM (Sport Assistant). Furthermore, all other relevant parties included the Gearhouse (Host Broadcaster), Swiss Timing under direction of Mr. Thomas KUTZKE (GER) with the expert Mr. Christian Winkler (ITA), HoRa Team (Shooting System Management) and medical team actively participated in their specific functions in this important test event. The most relevant group in any case was the great number of volunteers that attended and worked efficiently.

It was important to have an official test event with all functions cooperating on the venue. Although the test event held without snow, we were lucky because the facility was completed with asphalt and pavement course. This gave the possibility that the athletes could compete with roller skis which are quiet similar with skis. Unfortunately, some parts of the asphalt on the course was changed in level instead of keeping the original profile, so that athletes skied into the shooting range with quite high speed and had to break down when taking position on the shooting ramp. Most of athletes utilized almost the same shooting lane, not to reduce the speed and lose time.

The test was successful for the great team work between shooting results transfer to timing and from timing to broadcasting and for final results.

All function’s staff under the supervision of the venue manager Mr. Okan Gultekin made a great job co-operating and working with great enthusiasm without committing any mistake. Swiss Timing group organized the test with all professional equipment and had a complete overview from the start, over the course, on the penalty loop, on the shooting range and on the finish with the transponders. This made it possible that corrections for wrong penalty loops could be adjusted immediately.

The following are some comments and remarks from the IBU Technical Delegate (TD) Ubaldo PRUCKER. For the Erzurum Winter Universiade, the conditions will be a little bit different, in particular, on the preparation in the stadium, on the courses, on the shooting range. All key persons and relevant staff as well as the volunteers will have to transfer their acknowledgment and experience learned during this important test event to the snow conditions. “As soon as snow will cover the facility and grooming will start I am convinced that if all parties will be carefully prepared the Games will become a great success”, Prucker said.

Today, on the 22^nd of December, a second official biathlon test event in Kandilli will take place.

(Source: Jiho KIM, FISU Sport Assistant)

Meeting with Swiss Timing

OB van