Everything in order: Shooting Range Innovation ensures safety and fairness
To provide the world’s best biathletes with first-class conditions, was and is being worked in the Oberhofer ARENA at the Rennsteig again. The shooting range team develops the shooting range with a new feature: the 84-metre wide world cup shooting range was in the run-up to the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon fitted with a specially designed underlay, which guarantees stability and a balanced height level.
Each of the 30 stands was provided with a 20 centimeter high and well over 100 kilogram heavy wooden frame. The upper layer is a weatherproof multi-layer panel supported by a wooden substructure. Each platform is 278 centimeters wide and 150 centimeters deep.
To avoid shocks, we decided not to connect the platforms directly. Athletes and spectators can see the demarcation of the individual frames with a red dividing line", says competition director Mario Milde-Apel.
Up to now, the standing and lying surfaces have been modelled from snow in a very time-consuming manner and had to be extensively reworked depending on the stress and weather. If the grip has given way, the athlete has sunk a little with his elbow for example, which in turn had a negative effect on shooting. With the current underground we create absolutely identical and fair conditions. There are no excuses for the athlete," says Mario Milde-Apel with a small grin.
Active support
After cutting in a joinery, the wooden elements were made on site, thanks to help of the volunteer shooting range crew, assembled to fit. The sealing prone edges as well as cut and drilling points should have a corresponding longevity guarantee. For training and competition mode, the overall construction was also provided with a white stream, before the cushioning shooting mats form the known drain od the construction.
The former top biathlete Peter Sendel, who will support the Oberhofer World Cup for the first time as competition secretary, is also enthusiastic about the innovation: The construction meets exactly the regulations and is ideal for the World Cup. In addition, it can be used for the entire winter season and other competitions, such as the following Deutschlandpokal.“
Significantly reduced setup times
And also at the world association IBU the innovation meets with a lot of love, the shooting range is a very sensitive competition area, the special attention is shared. „At the World Cup in Le Grand Bornand our French colleagues have used a similar design that has proven itself“, says competition manager Mario Milde-Apel and added: „In our case the construction time has already halved and greatly simplifies the removal of stands."
Whether the modernization is positive on the shooting results of the world’s best ski hunters, remains tob e seen. The basis for stable shooting is in the ARENA at the Rennsteig given.
Photos for your free use:
Photo: 241209_Construction shooting range (1)
Caption: Test run: The first shooting range platforms were installed in early December in the ARENA on the Rennsteig and leveled.
Photo source: Thuringian winter sports center
Photo: 241221_Construction shooting range (2)
Caption: The stable and well over 100 kilogram heavy wooden structures were assembled and stored in the technical rooms of the ARENA at Rennsteig. Photo source: Thuringian winter sports center
Photo: 250102_Construction shooting range (3)
Caption: Competition director Mario Milde-Apel (right) and competition secretary Peter Sendel demonstrate the now simple removal of the world cup shooting range. Photo source: Ronny Knoll/Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH
Photo: 250102_ Construction shooting range (4)
Caption: Satisfied faces: competition manager Mario Milde-Apel (right) and competition secretary Peter Sendel with a miniature model of the now fixed leveled shooting platform. Photo source: Ronny Knoll/Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH