IBU Junior Cup Martell-Val Martello

International youth biathlon in Val Martello

The IBU Junior Cup Martell-Val Martello is the South Tyrolean leg of the prestigious continental youth biathlon circuit organized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU). It takes place at the Grogg Biathlon Centre (Biathlonzentrum Grogg) in Hintermartell, within the municipality of Martell, located at the end of the picturesque Val Martello, inside the Stelvio National Park in the province of Bolzano, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

A showcase for future champions

The IBU Junior Cup brings together the best young male and female biathletes under 21 from all over Europe: it is the stepping stone to the IBU Cup and the World Cup, the stage where the champions of tomorrow are forged. On the snows of Val Martello, national teams from Germany, Italy, France, and many other countries face off in a competition that combines cross-country skiing with precision at the shooting range.

The race format

The program spans several days and includes the three classic biathlon disciplines:

• Individual — the longest and most technical race, featuring four shooting sessions where every miss incurs a time penalty (12.5 km for women, 15 km for men).
• Sprint — a fast-paced and spectacular event with two shooting rounds (7.5 km for women, 10 km for men).
• Relay — the team challenge that concludes the event, with the baton passed between the athletes of each national team.

The Grogg Biathlon Centre

The Grogg Centre is one of Italy's most modern biathlon facilities: situated at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters, it features a state-of-the-art shooting range with electronic targets and cross-country ski loops that are perfectly groomed for most of the winter. Val Martello has been a reference point for international biathlon for years and regularly hosts stages of the IBU and Coppa Italia circuits.

An event open to everyone

The IBU Junior Cup races are free to attend: enthusiasts and families can watch the competitions at no cost, immersed in the alpine setting of Val Martello. It is a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of biathlon up close and discover the talents who will star in the major international competitions in the years to come.