The Dolnośląskie Centrum Sportu served as the athletes’ base. The championships were held in an open format, which allowed us to witness a major surprise: the European champion in the long-distance race was a representative of Mongolia. The Austrian team left Polana Jakuszycka in the best of moods, with six medals. The greatest joy was a silver medal for Marcin Zawół, the ambassador of #TeamPolana. Marcin Zawół won silver in the 10 km sprint. The best Polish woman, Anna Nędza-Kubiniec, finished in 17th place.
For the first time in the history of the championships, Mass Start 60 was held—a mass-start race featuring as many as 60 athletes. This highly spectacular format has been included in the calendar of lower-ranking competitions for several years, in the IBU Cup and the IBU Junior Cup. By decision of the world federation, it made its debut in championship-level competition in Jakuszyce in February 2024. What is Mass Start 60? It is none other than the mass-start race well known from the World Cup, but with as many as 60 athletes selected on the basis of two previously held individual events.
The start of as many as 60 athletes made it the most spectacular event of the competition in Jakuszyce.
Great recognition is also due to everyone working to maintain the courses—the officials of the Polish Biathlon Association and Biathlonworld, the volunteers, the DCS Polana Jakuszycka team, and Bieg Piastów. The next championships will be held in a year.
