During both events, athletes from around the world competed in three starting categories:
- Sitting
- Standing
- Vision Impaired (with guides)
Hundreds of athletes, competition at the highest level and one message: passion knows no barriers.
Nearly 150 competitors from 21 countries started on the courses in Jakuszyce—including Paralympic champions, World Cup winners and debutants just beginning their journey. Among them was Oksana Masters, a legend of para-skiing worldwide, a multi-medallist at the Games and one of the most inspiring athletes of our time.
Polish representatives were also at the starting line. They not only competed against the best, but also reached the podium. During the FIS competition, Witold Skupień gave fans particular reason to be proud: he won gold in the freestyle races and added a silver medal in the classic event, proving that he belongs among the world’s elite and can realistically think about success at the Paralympic Games in Milan.
Piotr Garbowski’s result was no less impressive. Together with his guide, Jakub Twardowski, he secured second place in the overall FIS World Cup standings.
Both events were not only sporting celebrations but also organisational successes. Combining two World Cup-level events—para-biathlon (IBU) and cross-country skiing (FIS)—required precise coordination, full accessibility and perfectly prepared infrastructure. All of this was successfully provided, as the athletes and representatives of the international federations consistently emphasised.