The BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon Organising Committee and its loyal sponsor, Zavarovalnica Triglav, are celebrating a special anniversary this year. In Pokljuka, the world’s top biathletes were cheered on by the 10th generation of Triglav’s Children.
Regardless of the bad weather, the most dedicated fans remain part of the competitions on Pokljuka. This year, around 1,300 children and their chaperones from 38 Slovenian schools took part in the event. Milestones are being set, and over the years, more than 22,000 young fans have attended the Slovenian stage of the BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon.
The Triglav’s Children initiative also had a special challenge for participants in the 2024/25 season. As part of a commitment to sustainability—an important value for both Zavarovalnica Triglav and the event organisers in the breathtaking Triglav National Park—children submitted recipes for dishes made from local ingredients.
That young hearts beat fast and passionately for sports was once again evident in their loud cheering, accompanied by dancing, as they supported the winter heroes on Pokljuka, who, with their encouragement, delivered outstanding performances.
Despite challenging weather conditions in the days leading up to the event, which kept workers on Pokljuka tirelessly preparing the tracks day and night, the milestone 10th edition of Triglav’s Children benefited from these efforts. The young supporters had the opportunity to enjoy both the men’s and women’s races.
The young fans were thrilled to witness Jakov Fak’s triumph, as he secured his seventh career World Cup victory. Their support meant a lot to him. “I’m even prouder that so many schoolchildren and kids came today. I have children of my own, and I’m extremely proud that my girls got to see me win right here, on home soil in Pokljuka. Every time I leave home, they ask, ‘Daddy, will you win?’ and I try to explain that it’s not as simple as waking up and picking something off a shelf—it’s much more complex. I want to show them that not everything in life is easy, but you have to persevere and, most importantly, believe in yourself. They shouldn’t turn a blind eye to reality, nor believe that everything is as it appears on social media and TV,” Fak said.
The 37-year-old added: “I believe sports are one of the last pure things left, where winning requires hard work, and nothing is handed to you. Every victory in sports is earned, and that’s why you appreciate it so much when you achieve it. Even when you don’t get a great result but know you gave it your all, you will value yourself and your effort and accept that it just wasn’t your day. All emotions—victory and the struggle of defeat—are part of life, and young people need to be aware of that. At the same time, they must understand that achieving their goals in life will require hard work. I want to be a role model for young people, and that’s why I emphasize this message.”
Slovenian biathlete Anamarija Lampič also confirmed that the bright smiles and loud support from the crowd undoubtedly motivated many athletes to give their best performances on the track. “When I see initiatives like this, I think back to when I was in elementary school. These kinds of events weren’t as popular back then, but I know how much they would have meant to us. I would have definitely gone. You get to attend a competition, see your idols—or maybe even find new ones while cheering for the best. This experience is priceless,” she reflected.
Speaking about the atmosphere, she added: “For us competitors, it’s incredible. It takes you back to your childhood in a way, and we athletes feel and appreciate that. The support is invaluable.” However, it’s not just children—Anamarija Lampič encourages all biathlon fans to visit Pokljuka in the coming days.
Every top athlete follows a healthy and nutritious diet, and the young participants contributed to this by creating recipes based on local ingredients. A total of 38 recipes will be published in a digital cookbook, serving as inspiration for everyone.
A panel of experts selected three winning recipes:
- Bilingual Elementary School II Lendava submitted a recipe for vegrač (vegetarian bograč).
- Sava Kladnika Elementary School Sevnica contributed a recipe for ravioli filled with Krškopolje pork.
- The Economic School Ljubljana created a recipe for “Urban Dish for City Dwellers: A Leap onto the Plate.”
Besides participating in the cooking competition, young fans also engaged in contests for “Best Fan Banner” and “Best Fan Dance,” actively shaping the atmosphere of the event. These activities are designed to encourage young people to spend their free time actively and embrace a healthy lifestyle—one of the key commitments of Slovenia’s largest insurance company. For biathletes, it’s also an opportunity to attract more young talents to the sport.
“In collaboration with the Pokljuka Organising Committee, we wanted to offer young visitors a unique experience in nature, showing them—through the example of athletes and various activities—that a healthy and active lifestyle can also be fun. We are especially pleased that we brought the 10th generation of children to Rudno Polje this year. Over the years, we have provided this experience to more than 22,000 children and their chaperones,” said Tjaša Kolenc Filipčič, Head of Marketing at Zavarovalnica Triglav.
