The focus is on the home World Championships in Lenzerheide

How did the Swiss team get through the summer?

Very well, if you ask Lena Häcki-Gross, the two Gasparin sisters Aita and Elisa or Sebastian Stalder. Everything went according to plan for this quartet.

The situation is different for Niklas Hartweg and Amy Baserga. The man from Schwyz had to have an operation on his shoulder after a fall on his bike in mid-June. His colleague from Einsiedeln had already undergone wrist surgery in March. She also had to make concessions in her summer training.

What potential is there in the Swiss team?

Lena Häcki-Gross, two-time winner of World Cup races last season, is the clear number 1. In the men's event, top shooter Sebastian Stalder came very close to the podium, maybe it will work out this winter. Not too much can be expected from Amy Baserga and Niklas Hartweg at the start of the season. Aita and Elisa Gasparin have already proven several times that a podium place is possible with the relay team thanks to them. In general, everyone is trying to shift their form curve in cross-country skiing slightly backwards compared to previous winters so that they are at their peak in February.

What does the competition program look like?

58 competitions at nine venues are scheduled in the World Cup. In addition, twelve sets of medals will be awarded at the World Championships in Lenzerheide from mid-February. The season opener in Kontiolahti, Finland, will take place over two weekends, starting with four relay competitions on Saturday and Sunday.

Are the World Championships being held in Switzerland for the first time?

Yes, the World Championships in Lenzerheide from February 12 to 23 will be a first for Switzerland - at least if you look at the title competitions since 1989, when men and women have competed for the medals together. The Biathlon World Championships have been held for men since 1958 and for women since 1984. In 1985, a separate World Championships for women took place in Egg am Etzel.

Who are the favorites...

Last year's overall World Cup winner Lisa Vittozzi is suffering from back problems, is skipping Kontiolahti and only wants to start in Hochfilzen. Her Italian teammate Dorothea Wierer wants to attack again after an epidemic season, which she ended prematurely due to illness. Her strongest rivals are likely to be Norway's Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold and of course the Frenchwomen Julia Simon, Lou Jeanmonnot and Justine Braisaz-Bouchet. Sweden's Elvira Öberg may also be in the fight for the big ball.

... And the favorites?

A Norwegian will probably take the big shot. Their squad, led by Johannes Thingnes Bö, is extremely broad and dominant. The French, possibly even the young Eric Perrot, want to hold their own. The Swede Martin Ponsiluoma should not be underestimated either.

Have there been any changes to the regulations?

The most important change is controversial. The top athletes will no longer be able to choose their own starting group in sprints and individual competitions. The top 15 will be given a number between 46 and 75 to maintain the excitement of the TV broadcast. The athletes' committee did not agree with the rule change, as the first group often benefits from better conditions on the track. But that's just it: He who pays, commands. Nevertheless, in the event of exceptional weather conditions with difficult course conditions, the jury has the right to apply an alternative start group system.

What else has been changed?

A new points system was introduced last season, which has now been improved. Points are increased from 3rd to 10th place. There are 90, 75 or 65 points for the podium.

Is the prize money generous?

Prize money totaling 9.36 million euros will be paid out in the coming biathlon season. The podium places in the World Cup (sprint, pursuit, individual and mass start) are worth 15,000, 12,000 and 10,000 euros, those at the World Championships 25,000, 20,000 and 15,000. 200 euros will be paid for 30th place in the World Cup. From this winter, athletes who achieve the fastest net running time in a pursuit competition will be rewarded with prize money of 2,000 euros. Those with the best performances in each relay will also receive additional prize money.