More than 330 athletes from 33 nations are expected to feature at Championships at the Soldier Hollow Nordic Centre, a venue created for the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics.

France topped the medal table at last year's Youth and Junior World Championships in Obertilliach in Austria with seven golds, while Russia triumphed in three events and Slovenia and Switzerland in two each.

Youth category competitions are for biathletes aged 15 to 19, with the junior age bracket covering those from 19 to 20.

Competition is due to begin tomorrow in the men's 12.5 kilometres and women's 10km individual races in the youth category, followed by the junior individual events over 15km for men and 12.5km for women on Thursday (February 24).

Sprints are scheduled to start on Friday (February 25) in the youth divisions over 7.5km for men and 6km for women, followed by the junior men's 10km and women's 7.5km races on Saturday (February 26).

Sunday (February 27) is due to be the busiest day with the pursuit races for men and women in both age brackets.

After a rest day on Monday (February 28), the youth relays are due to be held on Tuesday (March 1) - 3x7.5km for the men and 3x6km for the women.

The Championships are scheduled to finish on Tuesday (March 2), with the junior men's 4x7.5km and women's 4x6km relays.