Patria supports Finnish biathlon’s first-ever service truck
The long-standing partnership between Patria and the Finnish Biathlon Federation will take a new and tangible form in the 2026-2027 season, as the Finnish national biathlon team introduces its first-ever service truck. The new solution will improve the team’s ski servicing operations, make logistics during the competition season more efficient and create new opportunities to increase the visibility of the partnership.
The service truck will serve the entire national team and its ski service operations throughout the competition season. It will provide fit-for-purpose facilities for the ski service team, improve logistics and support the athletes’ preparations. At the same time, the truck will serve as a mobile communications and event platform, highlighting the important work carried out behind the scenes to support athletes’ performance.
Patria has supported the Finnish national biathlon team since 2011. The long-standing partnership is based on shared values, a common understanding of what it takes to achieve top performance, and a shared belief that success is built through long-term commitment, expertise and trust. The truck marks a new step in the partnership, bringing Patria’s support directly into the national team’s day-to-day operations. Patria’s support enables an important development that will enhance the team’s operations while also highlighting the role of Finnish expertise in international sport.
“The introduction of the service truck is a significant step forward for Finnish biathlon. It will improve the working conditions of the service team, strengthen the reliability of the team’s logistics and support the athletes’ preparations in World Cup conditions. Patria’s long-standing support is now taking concrete form in a solution that will have a direct impact on the national team’s everyday operations and strengthen the competitiveness of Finnish expertise internationally. The service truck is an example of how a long-term partnership can lead to improvements that advance the entire sport,” comments Jaakko Puurula, President of the Finnish Biathlon Federation.
The service truck will be introduced at the Kontiolahti World Cup in November and will travel with the national team throughout the Biathlon World Cup tour. It will also provide a new platform for partnership activities and for telling the stories of the work carried out behind the scenes to support athletes’ performance. For the Finnish ski service team, the new truck represents a significant improvement.
“First of all, I would like to thank the Finnish Biathlon Federation for the tremendous amount of work that has gone into this project, as well as Patria as our partner for making all of this possible. The service truck means a great deal to us. The time previously spent unloading and packing the container can now be used to service and prepare the athletes’ skis. Our working conditions will improve significantly: we will have more space, greater mobility and even better opportunities to prepare the world’s best skis. Previously, a considerable amount of valuable time was spent setting up our working facilities. Now we can focus on what matters most: our athletes and their preparations. The question is no longer whether the results will improve, but by how much,” says Marek Sander, Head of Service, describing the significance of the new truck for the service team and the national team as a whole.
“It has been a pleasure for Patria to support the Finnish national biathlon team over the long term. Our partnership is now deepening further as the team’s success last season is reinforced by its first service truck, which provides tangible support for the daily work of the team and its ski service crew. At its best, a partnership is much more than a logo on a competition suit or an advertisement at an event ‒ it is long-term cooperation, trust and a shared commitment to common goals. At Patria, it is important to us that we can contribute to building the future of Finnish biathlon for the long term,” says Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen, Vice President of Group Communications at Patria.
The introduction of the service truck marks a significant step forward for Finnish biathlon. It demonstrates how a long-term partnership can translate into concrete actions that support the conditions required for elite sport and help the entire team move forward.
Patria wishes the biathlon team success in the upcoming season and encourages everyone to follow the competitions and the Biathlon Federation’s channels. More information can be found on the federation's website: www.biathlon.fi.
Media enquiries and further information:
Sirje Ahvenlampi-Hyvönen, Vice President, Group Communications, Patria, tel. +358 50 557 3822, [email protected]
Matilda Suhonen, Communications Manager, Finnish Biathlon Federation, tel. +358 40 488 9128, [email protected]
Patria is a modern and international defence and technology company with over 100 years of experience. Through our top-notch experts and Protected Mobility, Defence and Weapon Systems and Sustainment Solutions business areas, we ensure reliable operations for our customers and serve as a partner in critical functions on land, sea and air – when if is not an option. Patria’s operating countries include Finland, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Japan.
Patria is owned by the State of Finland (50.1%) and Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (49.9%). Patria owns 50% of Nammo, and together these three companies form a leading Nordic defence partnership. www.patriagroup.com
