Trophies made of wood and slate: 30 trophies for the Biathlon World Cup to be created in Ilmenau
The winners and runners-up of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2025 in Oberhof can look forward to regional trophies. In cooperation with Intersport Prediger in Ilmenau trophies will be made from wood and slate - also with the help of modern laser equipment. They will be presented during the Flower Ceremonies following the competitions.
They are engraved, oiled and glued: Since today, Friday (December 13, 2024) the company Intersport Prediger in Ilmenau has been producing the trophies for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2025 in Oberhof. Co-owner Sandra Schmidt let take a look over her shoulder - and into the modern laser equipment. “I am very happy and honestly proud that, after the Biathlon World Cup last season, we have been able to produce the trophies again this year. It is a small but not insignificant contribution to one of the most important winter sports events in the Free State, which radiates far beyond the borders of the region and Thuringia. I am extremely excited to see which athletes will win and to which corners of the world the trophies will go,” she says.
Last year, Intersport Prediger and Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH already worked together on the construction of the trophy. Because the trophies at that time – round slate plates with engraving, reminiscent of biathlon targets - were very well received, they put their heads together again for the competitions at the start of the year. “We didn't want to repeat ourselves, we wanted to create a new look, but without doing away with the slates,” explains Sandra Schmidt.
Natural raw materials
The new trophies are a combination of a tree slice made of alder wood, which was prepared by the Heinemann joinery from Langewiesen, and a slate slab with a diameter of ten centimeters, i.e. two natural raw materials. “They stand for the Thuringian Forest and sustainability, and in a way also for the careers of the athletes. Just like a successful athlete, wood has to grow and overcome many challenges on the way to the top. And the slate rock stands for a certain robustness. This is also needed to survive in the Hexenkessel of the ARENA am Rennsteig and on the demanding routes,” says Bernd Wernicke, OC-boss and Managing Director of Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH.
Completion before the end of the year
The 30 trophies for the top 3 of the six competitions should be ready before the end of the year. The trophies will be presented during the Flower Ceremonies, which take place immediately after the races in the ARENA am Rennsteig. The World Cup will be opened by the women's sprint on Thursday, January 09, 2025 at 2.20 pm. On Friday, January 10, 2025 at 2.20 pm, the men's sprint will take place. On Saturday, January 11, 2025 the women's (12.30 pm) and men's (2.45 pm) pursuit races are on the program. The World Cup will be concluded on Sunday, January 12, 2025 by the Single Mixed Relay (12.20 pm) and the Mixed Relay (2.30 pm).
The sports store Intersport Prediger has been a family business in Ilmenau for over 30 years. In addition to the main line of business, the sale of sporting goods with the associated advice, the company started engraving trophy plates eight years ago and has steadily expanded its range. In the meantime, three laser machines help to create customized products from various shapes and materials such as stainless steel, enamel, glass or wood. Among the loyal customers of Intersport Prediger is the GutsMuths-Rennsteiglaufverein e.V., for whom the slates of the Rennsteig, Herbst and Schneekopf runs as well as the boards for the graduates of all three runs are made.
Photos for your free use:
Photo: 241213_Cup construction (1)
Caption: The trophies for the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon 2025 in Oberhof are made from typical regional materials, a tree slice made of alder wood and a slate slab.
Photo source: Susann Eberlein/Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH
Photo: 241213_Cup construction (2)
Caption: One of the steps involved in making a trophy is engraving with the help of a modern laser device.
Photo source: Susann Eberlein/Oberhofer Sport und Event GmbH