Biathalon

[CoyoteChris]

Wow...biathalon has changed since I used to watch it. Being a cross country skier and target shooter, it is very interesting that this sport is way bigger than figure skating in say Norway....I watched the Womens 7.5 K sprint today. Fan bases are huge. There is now in some of the events a penalty of one minute instead of a penalty lap, which I think should be universal. here is the new format. (new to me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr5oWP-iykQ

 

[Anna K.]

Wow...biathalon has changed since I used to watch it. Being a cross country skier and target shooter, it is very interesting that this sport is way bigger than figure skating in say Norway....I watched the Womens 7.5 K sprint today. Fan bases are huge. There is now in some of the events a penalty of one minute instead of a penalty lap, which I think should be universal. here is the new format. (new to me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr5oWP-iykQ

I have bad (?) news for you then: the one minute penalty is actually the old format that has been replaced by a penalty lap in all events except the Individual 20km/Men - 15km/Women. And yes, biathlon is indeed bigger than figure skating in most European countries including Latvia.

Sadly, it's lesser known in North America which is why I'happy for every North American who discovers it. I hope you enjoyed it! This sport is very different from figure skating although at the same time... Didn't the eyes of Lou Jeanmonnot when she's looking at her target remind you the determined expression that we sometimes see in Mao Shimada's eyes?

 

[CoyoteChris]

I have bad (?) news for you then: the one minute penalty is actually the old format that has been replaced by a penalty lap in all events except the Individual 20km/Men - 15km/Women. And yes, biathlon is indeed bigger than figure skating in most European countries including Latvia.

Sadly, it's lesser known in North America which is why I'happy for every North American who discovers it. I hope you enjoyed it! This sport is very different from figure skating although at the same time... Didn't the eyes of Lou Jeanmonnot when she's looking at her target remind you the determined expression that we sometimes see in Mao Shimada's eyes?

Is the youtube wrong? I saw no penalty lap today in the 7.5 k sprint.. Did I miss something?
My memory is fading at 77, but I never can recall an oly broadcast biathalon where they used time deductions instead of penalty laps.
First thing I said to myself when I saw Mao compete was "Gunfighter's eyes" She is a competitor and she doesnt like to loose. I missed out on that gene but I have competed with lots of shooters who have that mind set. The retired US ice dancer Jennifer Wester I think had that mind set when she shot nationals, before switching to figure skating. But that mind set also lead to a certain figure skater who dropped their Oly medal in the trash cause they didnt like the color... I am happy biathalon is alive and well in Europe..all those fans! I am pretty sure the Finns, after 1940, take it pretty seriously too. Go Norway!

 

[Anna K.]

I saw no penalty lap today in the 7.5 k sprint.. Did I miss something?
My memory is fading at 77, but I never can recall an oly broadcast biathalon where they used time deductions instead of penalty laps.

There is no wonder if you actually miss something as a random viewer: just like in figure skating, you need a bit of a trained eye to follow biathlete's penalties. The broadcasters have a habit of switching to the next athlete as soon as the penalty is earned (especially in the Sprint where there are about 100 athletes competing, at least half of them strong enough to medal, and broadcaster's job is to highlight potential winners - not those who get penalized). It is very rare when the cameras follow an athlete on a penalty lap. Also, you need to follow athlete's results very closely to spot the added time in the Individual.

I hope you'll watch the Pursuit today! It's one of the most exciting biathlon events. Also, it's easy to follow: there is no need to pay extra attention to athlete's time or penalties - the one who is running in front of the pack is the leader!

 

[CoyoteChris]

There is no wonder if you actually miss something as a random viewer: just like in figure skating, you need a bit of a trained eye to follow biathlete's penalties. The broadcasters have a habit of switching to the next athlete as soon as the penalty is earned (especially in the Sprint where there are about 100 athletes competing, at least half of them strong enough to medal, and broadcaster's job is to highlight potential winners - not those who get penalized). It is very rare when the cameras follow an athlete on a penalty lap. Also, you need to follow athlete's results very closely to spot the added time in the Individual.

I hope you'll watch the Pursuit today! It's one of the most exciting biathlon events. Also, it's easy to follow: there is no need to pay extra attention to athlete's time or penalties - the one who is running in front of the pack is the leader!

Wow....I guess!!!!! I never saw a penalty loop in one hour of watching.....(I am a shuffler, myself...but in the last part of the 20th century, my trails started to be groomed for skaters) (My rifle shoots alot better than I can!. Three shots at 200 yards. 45/90 Sharps

• Sprint: 10km (Men) / 7.5km (Women). 2 shooting rounds (prone-stand). 150m penalty loop per miss.

 

[CoyoteChris]

19,000 people follow biathalon at the Olys. Watched the women 10k pursuit. Brutal. The rifles are straight pull bolt guns, only unlike Swiss Army rifles, you open them with one finger and close the action with your thumb. I have no idea what the trigger pull is.

 

[CoyoteChris]

OK, the trigger on a biathalon rifle is set to 1.1 lbs, and it is two stage, for safety, like military triggers. Meaning the shooter brings the trigger back till resistance is felt, then squeezes till release at 1.1 lbs. By contrast , my military target rifles use a two stage trigger, with a release of 3-5 lbs. My 19th century target rifles use two triggers. The front is about 5 lbs....but if you set the rear trigger first then the front goes off at 6-12 ounces and is adjustable. Click on visit instagram below.

 

[Anna K.]

Now, we have only the Mass Start left: 30 best athletes will start at the same time and try to over-race each other through 4 shooting ranges.

The only Latvian running in the Women's 12.5km Mass Start will be our young hope Estere Volfa. It's her second Olympics and she's merely 20. She qualified for Beijing Games as a cross-county skier at the age 16. She still needs to improve her shooting but we expect big things from her in the future.

As for Americans, another young talent with erratic shooting Campbell Wright will start in today's Men's 15 km event. He isn't having good Olympic Games but he qualified as the 11th best guy in the world according to the World Cup ranking.

Talking about biathlon riffles, the newest trend is a 3D printed custom biathlon riffle; I don't think that this forum supports any links to commercial sites that provide said riffles but you can search the web if you are interested.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Now, we have only the Mass Start left: 30 best athletes will start at the same time and try to over-race each other through 4 shooting ranges.

The only Latvian running in the Women's 12.5km Mass Start will be our young hope Estere Volfa. It's her second Olympics and she's merely 20. She qualified for Beijing Games as a cross-county skier at the age 16. She still needs to improve her shooting but we expect big things from her in the future.

As for Americans, another young talent with erratic shooting Campbell Wright will start in today's Men's 15 km event. He isn't having good Olympic Games but he qualified as the 11th best guy in the world according to the World Cup ranking.

Talking about biathlon riffles, the newest trend is a 3D printed custom biathlon riffle; I don't think that this forum supports any links to commercial sites that provide said riffles but you can search the web if you are interested.

Anna, you are welcome to send me a link via pm. I did a search and it looks like you can have a 3D printed custom stock for your action.
One thing I have noted is it is extreamly difficult to cover this sport for Television as there is so much going on at once. Its as if you had all the ladies free competitors skating from one rink to another of four rinks and doing 3 elements in each rink. But that is not the sports fault.
Will see if I can find out the MOA (minute of Angle) accuracy of the rifles. .22s are not in my particular interest but it would be interesting to see what each shooter is capable of vs the rifle

 

[Anna K.]

One thing I have noted is it is extreamly difficult to cover this sport for Television as there is so much going on at once. Its as if you had all the ladies free competitors skating from one rink to another of four rinks and doing 3 elements in each rink. But that is not the sports fault.

It might be the commentators fault though. A good commentary can help a lot by a timely suggestion where to look at and what to pay attention to.

Will see if I can find out the MOA (minute of Angle) accuracy of the rifles. .22s are not in my particular interest but it would be interesting to see what each shooter is capable of vs the rifle

Generally, it's about 3.1 MOA for prone position (45mm target) and 7.9 MOA for standing position (115mm target). I don't know if specific data are available. Their shooting coach probably knows (biathletes usually have one coach for skiing and a different coach for shooting) but I'm not sure if it's made available for the general public