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Storm 'Elli' Cancels Friday's Oberhof Biathlon as Weekend Races Stay Provisional

IBU officials cite forecast gales plus an unsafe forest.

Overview

  • No competition took place Friday in Oberhof after IBU sport director Daniel Böhm warned of strong winds, unsafe forest conditions and compromised shooting integrity.
  • Organizers advanced both sprints to Thursday to preserve the program, with Elvira Öberg winning the women’s race and Tommaso Giacomel the men’s; Germany’s Philipp Nawrath placed second.
  • ARD replaced the biathlon slot with live skeleton from St. Moritz and nordic combined from Otepää between roughly 14:00 and 18:00, with biathlon replays offered in the Mediathek.
  • Officials report that Saturday and Sunday events currently look feasible but will be confirmed day by day as snowfall continues, putting extra demands on ski technicians.
  • Storm ‘Elli’ is causing wider disruption across Germany, including Deutsche Bahn’s suspension of northern long‑distance services and severe weather warnings from the DWD.