Having the sight on safety
When Anna-Maria Bagger and Luisa Schleicher knock on the athletes' hotel doors, they are not on the hunt for autographs, but are focusing on the safe storage of the sports weapon.
The fascination of biathlon combines the disciplines of cross-country skiing and shooting in an inimitable way. This is also the case at the current BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2025 in Oberhof, which will until Sunday continue to attract thousands of winter sports fans to the Rennsteig town and millions in front of their TV sets. Thrilling duels on the track and pressure at the shooting range - the mix of dynamic and precision continues to thrill.
But the sport comes with a high level of responsibility. Above all, the safe handling with the firearm is subject to strict regulations. So it's no surprise that no weapon is approved for the World Cup without the expert investigation by IBU inspector Janis Berzins. Correct measurements, the right weight as well as the compliance with the trigger resistance: The 43-year-old Latvian is the indicator for the compliance with all parameters relating to this sports equipment, which is also checked directly before each World Cup race.
Transport and storage is controlled
Even aside from the ARENA am Rennsteig, attention is paid to the correct handling of the weapons on the heights of the Thuringian Forest. ‘Last year, we carried out random tests around the World Cup,’ says Anna-Maria Bagger, who, together with her colleague Luisa Schleicher, is ensuring order and safety in the weapons business for the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district administration office. ‘Among other things, we check the correct transportation and storage in the hotel. And to our delight, our comments from the previous year were followed,’ continues Anna-Maria Bagger.
During the current World Cup, checks were also carried out across all nations in the athletes' accommodation and hotels. ‘The athletes were without exception very cooperative and open-minded and even grateful for our suggestions and tips,’ said Luisa Schleicher.
The staff of the district office, who are also responsible for approving the Oberhof shooting ranges throughout the year, were impressed with the procedures at the ARENA am Rennsteig: ‘Overall, the processes surrounding the races are very professional and well organised.’