Biathlon

I

Introduction

Biathlon (Greek, bi, “two”; athlon, “prize”), winter sport that is combination of cross-country skiing and small-bore rifle shooting. Each race takes place around a circuit, generally measuring between 2 and 4 km (1‚ and 2y mi) in length depending upon the overall distance of the race (see below). At the end of each circuit the biathletes stop at a shooting range and have to shoot at targets. The sport is popular for its mix of athleticism, skill, and marksmanship and for the fact that the shooting element, normally held in calm and focused circumstances in other shooting events, is undertaken by breathless and frequently exhausted athletes who have to keep their breathing and their loading and shooting arm under control.

Summer biathlon is a related sport that combines cross-country running with riflery, and various other adaptations have been experimented with, including cross-country running and archery.

II

Equipment and Clothing

Biathletes wear a single-piece suit, and generally goggles and warm hat. They propel themselves around the course with the help of ski poles. The skis are lightweight and skiers use the freestyle style of cross-country skiing as it is the faster. Glide wax helps the skis to move across the snow more smoothly. For the shooting element of the sport each competitor carries his or her own rifle around the course in a vertical harness.

The rifle itself is 22 calibre and weighs 3.5 kg (7• lb). The magazine holds five rounds of ammunition but up to four magazines are carried around the course. The biathletes load their own rifles. The rifle range comprises 30 shooting positions and 30 black circular targets, which lie 50 m (164 ft) from the shooter. The target size differs according to the event—either standing (115 mm/4y in) or prone shots (45 mm/1• in). If the target is hit a white disc slides across to denote a successful score. Each competitor uses an arm sling to steady the rifle after the exertions of skiing.

III

Rules of the Sport

A

Individual

The blue riband event in biathlon is the 20 km individual. The competition takes place over a 4 km course, with the biathletes taking five shots at the end of every lap (20 in total). At the first visit to the range the competitors shoot in a prone position (laying on the ground), after the next circuit they adopt a standing position, and then they repeat this pattern for the following two laps. Each competitor sets off at the start at 30-second intervals; because of this, and the unpredictable shooting element, the first to cross the line is not necessarily the winner. Time penalties of 1 minute are awarded for each missed target. The women’s event is similar, though, at 15 km in total, each lap measures 3 km.

B

Sprint

The rules for the sprint event are similar, with two stops for shooting. However, penalty points are not added to the total time, instead the competitors are required to ski a penalty loop of a further 150 m. Men race over 10 km and women over 7.5 km.