Round like a target: 36 slate trophies for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 in Oberhof are created at Intersport Prediger in Ilmenau
Individual trophies made of slate will remind the winners and runner-ups of their successes at the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 in Oberhof. Thanks to modern technology, the 36 pieces made of traditional material will be produced at Intersport Prediger in Ilmenau.
They are washed, engraved using a laser machine, then painted and finally fitted with a metal stand: The trophies that the winners and runner-ups of the sprint and pursuit races as well as the relay competitions of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024 in Oberhof will receive are made from a slate blank.
Since today, Thursday (December 14, 2023), the trophies have been made at Intersport Prediger in Ilmenau. Co-owner Sandra Schmidt lets us look over her shoulder as she worked with the natural product. It takes her a good quarter of an hour to make a trophy. "The fact that we can make a contribution to the World Cup on our doorstep makes us very proud. We are biathlon fans and always follow the competitions anyway. This winter is even more exciting. We'll be keeping a very close eye on which athletes get to hold our trophies," she says.
Material from the region
The round shape of the trophies is reminiscent of the five targets that the biathletes have to hit from a distance of 50 meters. With one crucial difference: the cups have a diameter of 20 centimeters. In prone shooting, the athletes have to hit targets with a diameter of 4.5 centimeters. In standing shooting, the diameter is 11.5 centimeters.
While the host of the BMW IBU World Championships Biathlon in February 2023 relied on glass trophies, slate from the region is now being used. "The material not only represents the Thuringian Forest, but is also robust. That's what the athletes have to be when they compete in front of thousands of fans in the ARENA am Rennsteig and on the selective routes in the Thuringian Forest. In addition, the engraving on the material is particularly effective," explains OC boss Bernd Wernicke.
The work should be completed by the end of the week. The trophies will be presented during the official award ceremonies. The three best athletes in the sprint will be celebrated on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 7 p.m. on the town square in Oberhof. The top 3 in the pursuit races will be invited to the stage on the town square in Oberhof on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 7 pm. The award ceremonies for the relay races on Sunday, January 7, 2024 will take place directly after the competitions in the ARENA am Rennsteig.
Family business produces trophies
The sports store Intersport Prediger has been a family business in Ilmenau for over 30 years. In addition to its main line of business, the sale of sporting goods with the associated advice, the company started engraving trophy plates seven years ago and has steadily expanded its range. Three laser machines now help to produce individual products from various shapes and materials such as stainless steel, enamel, glass or wood.
One of Intersport Prediger's loyal customers is the GutsMuths-Rennsteiglaufverein e.V., for which the slates for the Rennsteig, Herbst and Schneekopf races and the boards for the graduates of all three races are made. For the past three years, the Ilmenau town council has had the wooden medals for the New Year's Run created by Intersport Prediger. Other reference objects include the slates for the Buchonia Trail in the Rhön.
Best regards from Oberhof
Susann Eberlein
Press Officer
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BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2024:
Thursday, 7th January 2024 2.20 pm Sprint Men
Friday, 7th January 2024 2.25 pm Sprint Women
Saturday, 6th January 2024 12.25 pm Pursuit Men
2.40 pm Pursuit Women
Sunday, 7th January 2024 11.30 am Relay Men
2.25 pm Relay Women
The next world cup dates:
BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Oberhof 2025: 6th until 12th January 2025
BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Oberhof 2026: 5th until 11th January 2026