Szklarska Poręba – Jakuszyce, Poland

After the organizational success of last year's Junior Open European Championships, Szklarska Poręba-Jakuszyce is once again gearing up to host the IBU Junior Cup. From January 16 to 19, representatives from over thirty countries will compete in this prestigious event.

The IBU Junior Cup is the third most significant competition series organized by the International Biathlon Union. Since its inception in the 2015/16 season, with a brief hiatus during the pandemic, it has provided a platform for the world's best biathletes under 22. Earlier this winter, top athletes raced in Ridnaun, Italy, and Goms, Switzerland. The competition in Jakuszyce will be the third stop and serves as a crucial test for the upcoming European Junior Championships in Altenberg and a preparation stage for the Junior World Championships, set to take place in Östersund in February and March.

The event in Jakuszyce will feature sprint races (January 16 and 19) and the exciting mass start races in the “mass start 60” format (January 18). With a record-breaking 290 athletes representing 32 national teams, this promises to be an exhilarating week of competition.

The Polish team, especially the male athletes, is expected to play a leading role. Following solid performances in December, Poland's male team is ranked third overall. Grzegorz Galica, currently in fourth place and only 20 points behind the leader, is a key individual contender. Among the strong teams competing will be Germany, Austria, Italy, and Ukraine.

Jakuszyce has already become a hotbed for future biathlon talent, with Austrian Anna Andexer—who won two gold medals at last year's European Junior Championships on Polish snow—now representing her country in the senior World Cup.

The Lower Silesian Sports Center, which opened in 2022, is Poland's only biathlon facility licensed by the IBU to host international events. The center offers top-tier training facilities for professionals and amateurs alike, with dozens of kilometers of ski trails set amidst the scenic Jizera Mountains. The unique microclimate of the area, comparable to Scandinavia, and its proximity to the Czech border further enhance its appeal for both training and competition.