Winter wonder as athletes sample eight disciplines in three days in Davos (SUI)

A little-known fact about the Winter Pentathlon is that it once took place as a demonstration sport in the Winter Olympic Games, in St Moritz (FRA) in 1948, where Gustav Lindh (SWE) emerged as champion.

The sport never made it to the official Olympic programme, but it remains a popular annual staple of the UIPM Masters calendar thanks to the committed organisers of the Winter Pentathlon in Davos (SUI).

The 2023 event took place in early February with 27 athletes from eight countries (Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland) and in fact the athletes were able to compete across eight disciplines in a Modern Pentathlon and a Winter Pentathlon.

The individual champions were Gesche Reimers (GER) and Peter Partics (GRE), who won gold in each of the five men’s overall rankings.

The eight disciplines were Riding, Shooting, Cross-country Skiing, Swimming, Slalom, Fencing, Laser Ski and Laser Run.

Romain Chauvet (FRA) said: "It was amazing to be able to compete in so many disciplines in just three days, and to participate in both modern pentathlon and winter pentathlon in the same competition.

“It was also very interesting to have a unique ranking where age and gender are taken into account. The atmosphere in Davos was great and we had very nice weather. Markus Hostettler and his team are passionate about the sport and are always motivated by having people visiting their wonderful mountains."