Second Trimester Kicks Off in Oberhof

As last season’s World Championships venue, Oberhof, Germany never ceases to be a thunderous crowd. Between the stadium, which can hold 12,000 spectators, and the track, the venue is slated to see as many as 25,000 fans each day. The upcoming race weekend will consist of a sprint, pursuit and pair of relays to kick off the new year. 

Coming off a much-deserved holiday break, Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, WI/Army World Class Athlete Program), Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, WA/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) and Jackie Garso (Lake Clear, NY/Craftsbury Green Racing Project) will be joined by returning veteran Chloe Levins (Rutland, VT/Team Crosscut) who took the first trimester off from racing. Irwin had her top result last season in Oberhof, finishing top-20 in the individual, where Dickinson placed 67th and Levins on her tail in 68th. This will be Garso’s first experience racing at LOTTO Thüringen ARENA am Rennsteig.    

“I am proud to have overcome multiple obstacles with my health and make it back to the World Cup circuit,” said Levins. “It was not an easy fight back, and I’m eternally grateful to all the people who helped me get back in my body. I’m just happy to be here and will do my absolute best. Oberhof is always a beast – the course is monstrous and the weather is always unpredictable. Some variable weather will open up the field and allow for more opportunities this weekend, so I look forward to capitalizing on that as a team.” 

The men’s team features the familiar faces of Sean Doherty (Center Conway, NH/National Guard Biathlon), Jake Brown (St. Paul, MN/Craftsbury Green Racing Project), Maxime Germain (Chamonix-Mont Blanc, FRA/National Guard Biathlon) and Campbell Wright (Wanaka, NZL/U.S. Biathlon). Racing last season for New Zealand, Wright finished 20th in the individual in Oberhof, a notable result given his young age. Doherty placed 35th in the individual and Germain landed in 65th. Despite missing the World Championships last season, Brown posted a 34th in the sprint and 45th in the pursuit at the Oberhof World Cup during the 2021-22 season. 

Notorious for its poor weather conditions, Oberhof is sure to be an interesting weekend. Live streams can be found at eurovisionsports.tv/ibu/. Spectator resources for the upcoming season can be found at usbiathlon.org/spectator-resources.

World Cup 4 - Oberhof, Germany

January 5

Men’s 10km Sprint 5:20 ET / 11:20 CET *Note that the men’s sprint has been moved from Jan. 4 to Jan. 5 

Women’s 7.5km Sprint 8:25 ET / 2:25 CET

January 6

Men’s 12.5km Pursuit 6:25 ET / 12:25 CET

Women’s 10km Pursuit 8:40 ET / 2:40 CET

January 7

Men’s 4x7.5km Relay 5:30 ET / 11:30 CET

Women’s 4x6km Relay 8:25 ET / 2:25 CET