The Organising Committee for the 2021 Winter Universiade in Lucerne has taken the decision to re-locate the venues for biathlon and cross-country competitions ©Lucerne 2021

Organisers of the 2021 Winter Universiade in Lucerne has taken the decision to re-locate the venues for biathlon and cross-country competitions with less than three years to go until the start of the event.

Following analysis by local experts, biathlon has been moved from Andermatt-Realp to Lenzerheide, while cross-country has been moved from Einsiedeln to the Urserental valley in Andermatt-Realp.

The decision to change the setting for biathlon has been taken for two reasons, according to 2021 Winter Universiade managing director Urs Hunkeler.

"The planning work has shown that the cost of one expansion of the existing shooting range in Realp would have been more expensive than what had been accepted in the application phase," he said.

"In addition, we have committed ourselves to sustainability.

"With the Biathlon Arena in Lenzerheide, the Swiss biathlon family has a first-class venue. 

"This Arena is there to be used for international events such as the Winter Universiade."

Hannes Parpan, the Local Organising Committee director for Lenzerheide, added: "For us, it is a big sign of appreciation.

"In particular, we are pleased that we are integrated into a project that now goes across Central Switzerland."

Almaty in Kazakhstan hosted the latest edition of the Winter Universiade last year ©Lucerne 2021
Almaty in Kazakhstan hosted the latest edition of the Winter Universiade last year ©Lucerne 2021

The decision to re-locate the cross-country competitions to the Urserental valley has come on the back of planning work carried out last year.

The challenges regarding snow reliability were said to be very big in the previously chosen municipality of Einsiedeln.

"The Urserental, thanks to a high level of snow reliability and a lot of experience in the implementation of cross-country skiing competitions, is an excellent solution," Hunkeler said.

"Our Local Organising Committee was very committed and would have liked competition to be carried out in this unique place [Einsiedeln], but ultimately the challenges were too big."

Lucerne 2021 has also revealed that further clarifications for the Alpine skiing competitions, which were planned for Stoos, are needed.

A suitable solution for the conduct of competitions has not been found in Stoos.

Alternative host cities in Central Switzerland are currently being evaluated.

Engelberg is due to play host to curling, freestyle skiing and snowboarding for the 2021 Winter Universiade, while Lucerne will stage short track speed skating and figure skating.

Ice hockey is due to take place in Sursee.