What on Earth is Summer Biathlon and Why is the Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival a Big Deal?
- Bernie
- Sep 5, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 6
Last weekend, athletes and spectators gathered for the 5th edition of this unique event, which showcases the fascinating world of biathlon in a rather unconventional summer setting.
The Summer Biathlon: A Quirky Fusion of Skiing and Shooting
So, what exactly is summer biathlon? Imagine athletes skiing through challenging terrains with rifles strapped to their backs. It combines the physicality of cross-country skiing with the concentration and accuracy required for target shooting.
While traditional biathlon takes place in snowy landscapes, in the summer, participants are on roller skies and the route is usually on a flat surface. You might see summer biathletes on the bicycle path around lake Annecy and if you can't see them, you'll hear the distinct tack-tack of their poles hitting the ground.
Who is Martin Fourcade ?
At the heart of this Nordic Festival is Martin Fourcade. Whilst I had heard of his name during various biathlon competitions, I actually didn't know the details of his career. Did you know that he has achieved the following:
5 x Olympic champion
13 x World champion
7 x Overall World cup
He's the all-time biathlon record holder of overall *World Cup titles with seven big crystal globes and he's also the all-time record holder of the most consecutive Major Championships titles with at least one non-team gold medal in every major championship from 2011 to 2018.
Given his amazing skiing ability, it's no wonder that he was a member of the French military ski team!
*The World Cup is not just one race but a season-long competition comprising of nine to ten meetings, each taking place in a different venue. The athlete with the highest overall score (i.e. across all disciplines; individual, sprint, relay, pursuit, mass start and team) at the end of the season, is awarded the 'Big Crystal Globe'. A Small Crystal Globe is given for the first place for each discipline. It is therefore possible for an athlete to win both the Big Crystal Globe and more than one Small Crystal Globe for the same World Cup season. I feel tired just thinking about this.
As of February 2018, Martin Fourcade has been acknowledged as the most successful French Winter Olympian of all time! He retired from the sport in 2020.
Let's Get Back to the Festival....
This festival only started 5 years ago but each year its proven to be very successful with queues of people waiting to enter the 'Ekosport Village' and big crowds along the route. The festival usually runs from Friday to Sunday.
This year, the festival started Friday afternoon at the 'Ekosport Village' where you could try curling! There were food-trucks, drink vendors and various suppliers of sports merchandise. The day closed with live music.
Saturday was the main racing day with the women's and men's cross country and biathlon events. Sunday started with a collective yoga session (I can't believe I missed it), followed by the fun races for children (under 11's-under 15's) and adults. For adults, it was a two hour team relay. Each team could have 4-6 members (with or without fancy dress) who took it in turns to do a 1km fun run around an obstacle course and rifle shooting. The day closed with medals being awarded and more music.
Closing Thoughts on the 2024 Martin Fourcade Nordic Festival
Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch the races this year but I was able to see some of the preparations and visit the Ekosport Village (see photos below). What I liked about his event was the relaxed but vibrant atmosphere and also the inclusiveness; there were families and people of all ages. I think Annecy has got it right in having ambassadors like Martin Fourcade bring a rather niche sport closer to us, the general public. Surely it must inspire young budding biathletes to step up or even complete novices to give it a go.
If you think you're going to be in Annecy at the end of August, make a note of this event in your diary, it's a fun experience for all. If you'd like to learn more about it or see some stunning photos, head to the official website: https://nordicfestival.fr/
That's all for now. If you have any questions about the above or other sporting events in Annecy, feel free to contact me.
À bientôt.
Tel: 06 28 13 82 60
Email: info@simplyannecy.com
Comentários