The 2026 IBU Regional Event | Oceania Cup – a huge success

(Paralympian Dave Miln PLY off to a flying start)

On 8-9 August 2026, in somewhat challenging conditions, Biathlon Australia successfully hosted the inaugural IBU Regional Event | Oceania Cup.  Athletes, Coaches and fans from across the globe descended upon the Australian Biathlon Arena, Mt Hotham, Victoria for the first ever IBU Regional Event in the Southern Hemisphere.  The atmosphere, sunshine and action had the standing room only spectators on their feet cheering loudly and passionately.

This was the culmination of months of preparation under the leadership of BA’s Sports Director Sandra Paul OLY, who together with the board, our XO Robyn McEvoy and National Integrity Manager Brooke Irvine, worked closely with the IBU, the State Government of Victoria, Hotham Alpine Resort Management, Biathlon Australia Head Coach Ana Kinnunen OLY and our kiwi-cousins at New Zealand Biathlon.

It was truly tremendous to have Tomasc ‘Tomek’ Bernat, IBU Sport Development Manager and Oceania Cup Technical Delegate attend the event – hot off his duties at Antholz as a TD at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. “It was great to see your motivation and the effort you all put in to make this competition and provide opportunities for your Athletes to compete,” said Tomek. “It was also a good experience for me to feel your real needs, problems and possibilities, which is important to help you grow in the best possible way. Thank you to your whole team, especially Sandra and her family for inviting me and hosting me in Australia.”

It was an honour to have 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympics members Dave Miln PLY, Lynn-Maree Cullen & Suki attend.  Along with IBU World Cup and IBU World Championship athlete Noah Bradford – Australia’s highest ranked athlete (111.26 Q points).  Equally important was the strong contingent of international competitors – Ewenn Fercot (FR / AU), Baxter Pollard (NZ), Jessica Gould (NZ) and Winifred McAllister Brown (NZ).  And of course, our incredibly talented Aussie biathletes including members of our Development, National & Masters Teams.

“Being able to line up at an event like this in Australia is another important step in continuing to grow Para Biathlon at home,” said Dave Miln PLY. “Hopefully the first Oceania Cup is the first of many.  Plenty more work to do, but pretty bloody cool to be part of another little piece of Australian biathlon history.”

(Oceania Cup Champions Ava McCann & Samuel Johnson racing into the range)

(Shoot Straight | Ski Fast)

“It was incredible that the planning team managed to get a course together and hold the event,” said Master’s athlete Ro Packer. “With the good weather on Saturday there was a real sense of camaraderie amongst everyone having completed a difficult course and enjoying a BBQ sausage afterwards. It was great to have a NZ contingent and our young French Australian competitor to kick off the first international event.”

The 2026 IBU Regional Event | Oceania Cup Champions (across all age groups) are Ava McCann, Carmen Cullen-Croke, Dave Miln PLY, Eva Skilton, Ewenn Fercot, Finn Meehan, Heather Wiederkehr, Ian Smith, Isabella Moon, Jade Findlay, Liam Cullen-Croke, Noah Bradford, Oscar O’Sullivan, Paul McDonald, Ro Packer, Rosie Franzske, Samuel Johnson, Stephen Meehan and Thea Harvey.  They will go down in the annuls of history as the first ever IBU Regional Event | Oceania Cup gold medallists.  All the results are available on the BA website (https://www.biathlonaustralia.com.au/events-/race-results-)

And congratulations to dual gold medallist and 2026 IBU Regional Event | Oceania Cup Hot Shot – Eva ‘Eagle Eye’ Skilton (0,0) and (0,1) 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯.  With special mentions to Dave Miln PLY and Thea Harvey for shooting 1,0 on Saturday.

(Fabulous logo and medal’s designed by Katrina Sparke)

It was great having international athletes to race with in Australia, and BA pulled off a miracle to run the inaugural event despite the lack of snow!,” said Gold Medallist Ava McCann.  “Hopefully this helps to remind the rest of the world that we can actually do biathlon in Australia! There have been some jokes about the next World Cup being held at the Great Dividing Range. Thanks again to BA for going to all the effort to organise this important event, to coach Ana, Tomasz from the IBU for coming all the way from Poland, Michal for timing and all the volunteers!”

On Saturday night 40 of us feasted on a sumptuous meal at Jack Frost Restaurant – big thanks to Lisa and Sarah for again hosting us and putting on a delicious spread.

Another highlight and first for Australia was the live & exclusive international broadcast of Saturday’s races on snow.TV – along with expert commentary by our very own Kat Paul.  You can catch up on all the action here: https://biathlonaustralia.snow.tv/ - including full stream of the live event, 30 minute highlight show and professional photos.

And, the 30-minute highlight show can be viewed on your smart TV exclusively on 7Plus.

(Kat Paul’s expert commentary is live and exclusive on SnowTV and 7Plus)

“Prior to our arrival from New Zealand, on hearing of the scarcity of snow, I held grave concerns regarding the outcome of the trip,” said Ernie Maluschnig.  “As the manager and coach of the team I felt responsible that our 3 young biathletes may not be in for a good experience.  But I was pleasantly surprised on our arrival to Whiskey Flat, that there was sufficient snow, and a course was being created.”

“Considering the challenging icy trail conditions on Saturday and wet, blustery weather on Sunday the team showed resilience and put in solid performances. All three want to return next year,” said Ernie, “I am intent on bringing a larger team to the IBU Oceania Cup next year and have a vision of a similar event in New Zealand in the near future,” explained Ernie.  “I congratulate the race organisers for doing an amazing job, under extreme conditions, to create a very successful event. I also thank the IBU for their support and in trusting that Biathlon can thrive Down Under.”

(New Zealand star Baxter Pollard in action)

Massive thanks and acknowledgment to the incredible people who made the dream a reality including all the wonderful volunteers (you’re all legends), the brilliant coaches, Biathlon Australia Head Coach Ana Kinnunen OLY, Race Directors Sandra Paul OLY and Paul Connor, Race Secretary Brigid Holder, XO Robyn McEvoy, National Integrity Manager Brooke Irvine, Chief of Range Paul Garai, Chief of Volunteers Nym Kim, Chief of Course Andrew Paul OLY, Chief of Stadium (Start/Finish) Murray Johnson and Mark Bradford, New Zealand Team Manager & Coach Ernie Maluschnig, Common Waxer Adam Barnett, designer extraordinaire Katrina Sparke (what a cracking OC logo, medals and signage) and Chief of BBQ Dave Windsor.

We are incredibly grateful to the team behind the team, including the IBU, the State Government of Victoria, Hotham Alpine Resort Board, Alpine Resorts Victoria, the fantastic groomers, Mt Hotham Ski Patrol, Michal Trnka from Alpine Timing, Mark Stevens & the crew from Snow.TV and Kat Paul for her professional commentary.

And to top it off, we’ve had 70,000+ views on BA’s Oceania Cup socials … and counting.  And over 166,000 views over the Australian domestic season so far.

What a way to celebrate 50 years of biathlon in Australia and the successful 2026 domestic / regional season.

We look forward to seeing you in Jindabyne for the opening of the Biathlon Australia multi-sport facility and our 50^th birthday celebration – members please RSVP here: https://www.biathlonaustralia.com.au/events/372480.

Ski Fast | Shoot Straight | Biathlon Down Under is Awesome

Dave, Sandy, Murray, Libby, Brett, Kat, Mark & Kate

(with love from Hotham)