The 1987–88 Biathlon World Cup was a multi-race tournament over a season of biathlon, organised by the UIPMB (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne et Biathlon). The season started on 17 December 1987 in Hochfilzen, Austria, and ended on 20 March 1988 in Jyväskylä, Finland. It was the eleventh season of the Biathlon World Cup. The women's European Cup changed its name to World Cup.
The first round of the World Cup in Hochfilzen had scheduled individuals, sprints and relays, but the sprints and relays were cancelled due to heavy rainfall destroying the tracks. The sprint races were later held in Keuruu, with the rest of that World Cup round being held in Jyväskylä.
Below is the World Cup calendar for the 1987–88 season.
1988 Winter Olympics and 1988 World Championship races were not included in the 1987–88 World Cup scoring system.
The men competed at the 1988 Winter Olympics whilst the women competed at the 1988 World Championships.
First World Cup career victory
Johann Passler (ITA), 26, in his 7th season — the WC 2 Individual in Antholz-Anterselva; first podium was 1982–83 Individual in Holmenkollen
Ernst Reiter (FRG), 25, in his 5th season — the WC 3 Individual in Ruhpolding; first podium was 1986–87 Individual in Ruhpolding
Stefan Höck (FRG), 24, in his 4th season — the WC 3 Sprint in Ruhpolding; it also was his first podium
Gisle Fenne (NOR), 24, in his 5th season — the WC 4 Individual in Holmenkollen; first podium was 1985–86 Sprint in Antholz-Anterselva
Franz Schuler (AUT), 25, in his 6th season — the WC 5 Sprint (2) in Jyväskylä; first podium was 1986–87 Sprint in Obertauern
First World Cup podium
Hervé Flandin (FRA), 22, in his 3rd season — no. 3 in the WC 2 Individual in Antholz-Anterselva
Geir Einang (NOR), 23, in his 4th season — no. 3 in the WC 4 Sprint in Holmenkollen
Vladimir Drachev (URS), 22, in his 1st season — no. 2 in the WC 5 Sprint (1) in Jyväskylä
Victory in this World Cup (all-time number of victories in parentheses)
Frank-Peter Roetsch (GDR), 2 (9) first places
Eirik Kvalfoss (NOR), 2 (9) first places
Fritz Fischer (FRG), 1 (5) first places
Johann Passler (ITA), 1 (1) first places
Ernst Reiter (FRG), 1 (1) first places
Stefan Höck (FRG), 1 (1) first places
Gisle Fenne (NOR), 1 (1) first places
Franz Schuler (AUT), 1 (1) first places
The following notable biathletes retired after the 1987–88 season:
Peter Angerer (FRG)
Matthias Jacob (GDR)
