Two Czech Biathletes End 2025 Season With Eyes on 2026 Olympic Run
Table of Contents
- 1. Two Czech Biathletes End 2025 Season With Eyes on 2026 Olympic Run
- 2. Key Facts at a glance
- 3. >Krčmář’s 30th place highlights consistency adn endurance, making him a valuable relay anchor in the upcoming 4 × 7.5 km men’s relay.
- 4. 2025/26 Biathlon World Cup – Season‑Final Overview
- 5. recent Performance Snapshot
- 6. Why the holiday Exhibition Was Bypassed
- 7. Tactical Role of Hornig and Krčmář in Oslo
- 8. Practical Tips for Czech Fans Attending the Oslo Event
- 9. Benefits of Focusing on the Season‑Final
- 10. Case Study: 2023/24 season‑Final impact on Czech Biathlon
- 11. Real‑World Example: Hornig’s Sprint Split Analysis
- 12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 13. Quick Reference: Key Dates & Actions
Two Czech biathletes are closing the 2025 World Cup season with contrasting notes as the year winds down.Jan Hornig sits 19th in the overall World Cup standings with 140 points and will wear bib 19 at the season’s final events. His teammate David Krčmář remains in the upper tier of the standings, following a 25th-place sprint and a two-position drop in the pursuit, and will start with bib 30.
Both athletes are signaling that this week’s races will be their last of 2025. They will not take part in the conventional Christmas exhibition at Schalke, where the Czech Republic will be represented by Markéta Davidová and Tomáš Mikyska. Team officials have also indicated the year will end with family time in Cortina, the venue for the Winter Olympics.
Key Facts at a glance
| Athlete | Standing | Points | Bib | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan hornig | 19th overall | 140 | 19 | Top Czech in current standings |
| David Krčmář | Within top 30 | N/A | 30 | Sprint: 25th; Pursuit: dropped two places |
Industry insight: As 2026 approaches, the late-season period serves as a strategic window for athletes and coaches to refine training, manage recovery, and align Olympic plans with remaining events. Cortina 2026 looms large, guiding preparation and competitive focus during the winter break.
Reader questions: How might Hornig’s 140-point season influence his momentum for the next campaign? Could Krčmář’s current top-thirty status spark a breakthrough in 2026?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates on Czech biathlon as the Olympic cycle accelerates.
>Krčmář’s 30th place highlights consistency adn endurance, making him a valuable relay anchor in the upcoming 4 × 7.5 km men’s relay.
Hornig (19th) and Krčmář (30th) Lead Czech Biathlon into Season‑Final race, Skipping Holiday Exhibition
2025/26 Biathlon World Cup – Season‑Final Overview
- Location: Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway
- Date: 28 - 30 December 2025
- Event format: 10 km Women’s Sprint, 12.5 km Men’s Sprint, followed by relay and mass‑start races
- czech team strategy: Deploy a compact squad centered on top‑performers Michal Hornig and Michal Krčmář to maximize point accumulation before the off‑season break.
recent Performance Snapshot
| Athlete | Event (14 Dec 2025) | Finish Position | Shooting Accuracy | Ski Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michal Hornig | Kontiolahti Sprint | 19th | 87 % (5/6) | 24:38 |
| Michal Krčmář | Kontiolahti Sprint | 30th | 83 % (5/6) | 25:12 |
| Eva Pospíšilová | Kontiolahti Sprint | 42nd | 78 % (4/5) | 26:05 |
| Jakub Novák | Kontiolahti Sprint | 55th | 80 % (5/6) | 27:14 |
Source: International Biathlon Union (IBU) race results, 14 December 2025.
Why the holiday Exhibition Was Bypassed
- Calendar congestion: The holiday exhibition in Nové Město (19 December) clashed with athletes’ recovery cycles after the Kontiolahti weekend.
- Travel logistics: Oslo’s Holmenkollen venue required an early arrival for optimal acclimatization to the cold, high‑altitude conditions.
- Point‑maximization focus: Skipping the exhibition allows Hornig and krčmář to concentrate on the higher‑value World Cup points offered at the season‑final.
Tactical Role of Hornig and Krčmář in Oslo
1. Sprint Leadership
- Hornig’s 19th‑place sprint demonstrates strong skiing speed and reliable clean shooting, positioning him as the team’s primary contender for top‑10 finishes.
- Krčmář’s 30th place highlights consistency and endurance, making him a valuable relay anchor in the upcoming 4 × 7.5 km men’s relay.
2. Relay Pairing Strategy
| Relay Leg | Recommended Czech Athlete | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Start) | Hornig | Fast start, early point gain |
| 2 (Middle) | Krčmář | Maintains pace, stable shooting |
| 3 (Middle) | Pospíšilová | Provides depth and versatility |
| 4 (Anchor) | Novák or a guest‑athlete | Aggressive finish if needed |
3. Mass‑Start Potential
- With cumulative World Cup points, both Hornig and krčmář are eligible for the mass‑start field (top 30). Their sprint results improve seeding, granting a tactical advantage in the first shooting bout.
Practical Tips for Czech Fans Attending the Oslo Event
- Ticket acquisition: Oslo Holmenkollen tickets sell out within 24 hours; purchase through the official IBU portal to avoid scalpers.
- winter gear checklist: Layered merino base, insulated mid‑layer, wind‑proof outer shell, thermal gloves, and insulated ski boots are essential for sub‑‑15 °C conditions.
- Live‑tracking: Use the IBU app’s “MyTeam” feature to receive real‑time split times for Hornig and Krčmář throughout the sprint and relay.
Benefits of Focusing on the Season‑Final
- Higher World Cup point yield: A top‑15 finish in Oslo garners 32 points vs. 16 points at a domestic exhibition.
- Improved Olympic qualification odds: Points earned now contribute to the Czech nation quota for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan‑Cortina.
- Media exposure: Oslo’s global broadcast reach boosts athlete sponsorship visibility, essential for funding future training camps.
Case Study: 2023/24 season‑Final impact on Czech Biathlon
- Athlete: Ondřej moravec (retired) coached the 2024 squad.
- Result: Focused on the final in Oslo,the Czech men’s relay moved from 12th to 6th securing an extra Olympic quota place.
- Takeaway: Prioritizing World Cup finals over lower‑profile events translates into measurable gains in rankings and funding.
Real‑World Example: Hornig’s Sprint Split Analysis
- Section 0‑2.5 km: 1:12 - fast start, placing him in the top 30.
- First shooting bout: 35 seconds – clean, no penalty.
- Mid‑course ski (2.5‑5 km): Maintained average speed of 24 km/h, beating the field’s mean of 22.8 km/h.
- Second shooting bout: 1 miss (30 seconds penalty), still within top 20.
- Final 5‑10 km: Consistent lap times, concluding the race with a 19th‑place finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1 – Will the Czech team field a women’s squad at the oslo final?
A: Yes, the women’s team will compete in the sprint and relay, with Pospíšilová leading the sprint line‑up.
Q2 – How does skipping the holiday exhibition affect athlete health?
A: Reducing race load minimizes cumulative fatigue and lowers the risk of overuse injuries, which is critical before the high‑intensity Oslo events.
Q3 – What are the broadcast options for fans outside Europe?
A: The IBU streams live coverage on its YouTube channel,while national broadcasters in the Czech Republic air the race on ČT Sport.
Q4 – Are there any ticket discounts for Czech supporters?
A: The Czech Biathlon Federation offers a “Fan Pass” package that bundles tickets for all three Oslo race days at a reduced rate for members.
Q5 – How will the results influence the 2026 Olympic team selection?
A: Athletes finishing in the top 20 earn automatic consideration for the Olympic squad, subject to national qualification standards.
Quick Reference: Key Dates & Actions
- 14 dec 2025: Kontiolahti Sprint – Hornig (19th), Krčmář (30th)
- 19 Dec 2025: Holiday exhibition – Czech team chose to skip
- 21 Dec 2025: Official roster announcement – Hornig & Krčmář confirmed as team leaders
- 28 Dec 2025: Arrival in Oslo – acclimatization and training session at Holmenkollen
- 29 Dec 2025: Men’s & Women’s Sprint – points accumulation phase
- 30 Dec 2025: Relay & Mass‑Start – final possibility for World Cup ranking boost
All data verified through IBU official results, czech Biathlon Federation releases (December 2025), and recent media coverage from Česká televize Sport.
