The competitions in the biathlon have undergone numerous transformations in terms of regulations. . It is the form of winter sports that has evolved the most in recent years, introducing increasingly spectacular tests in the calendars of the World Cup and the World Championships.
Next, we are going to describe what each of these tests consists of.
Individual test
This is the oldest biathlon competition and also the longest, in terms of kilometers. Competitors start individually every thirty seconds and must complete a distance of 20 kilometers in the men's category and 15 in the women's category. During the course, they perform 20 shots distributed in four series, two in a lying position (the first series of shots and the third) and two in a standing position (the second and the fourth series).
Individual test
The distance from the firing point to the targets is 50 m, for all competitions, and the diameter of the targets is 45 mm for the prone position (less technically difficult), and 115 mm for standing position. The approximate weight of the carbine is 3.5 kilograms.
The penalty for each missed target is one minute, which will be automatically added to the biathlete's competition time. Normally, it is in this competition where the greatest time differences occur between the first and last classified. It must be taken into account that a minute penalty for a missed shot requires a lot of effort on the part of the skier to recover that time.
Sprint test
Like the previous competition, the start is individual and the time interval between each runner is 30 seconds. In the men's category, the distance to cover is 10 km, while in the women's category it is 7.5 kilometers.
Each competitor must perform two series of shots (the first series in a lying position and the second in a standing position). The first series is located approximately at kilometer 3 and the second at kilometer 7, in the men's event. In the women's race, the series of shots occur at kilometers 2.5 and 5.
The penalty in this test for each missed target is to make a return to a 150 m loop, located next to the shooting range, in which the skiers spend an approximate time of 23 seconds. This is one of the most exciting and fastest tests on the calendar.
Relay test
Each relay team is made up of four biathletes, each of whom must complete a 7.5 km course. As in the sprint test, there are two series of shots for each runner and the penalty for a missed target is the same, that is, one return to the penalty loop. The team completes a 30 km route and performs 8 series of shots.
The departure is en masse; The first relievers of each team come out at the same time and to change the relay, just give the next reliever a small blow on the back, in the change area (close to the goal).
The most important difference, with respect to the individual tests, is that each competitor has eight pellets to shoot down the five targets of each series. Once the five pellets in the magazine have been fired, they must insert the remaining pellets manually and one at a time, which increases the time lost.
Try chase
This is a new competition, introduced by the IBU in the 1996-1997 season in the World Cup and World Championships program. The most important characteristic is its spectacularity and excitement, since during the course of the test it is known at all times who is the leader.
The start is individual and is based on the results of the sprint test. In the World Cup, the 60 best runners from the sprint race start, with a time difference equal to that which occurred in this race and in the same order in which they finished; That is, the best of the sprint distance comes out in first place, the second in second place and with a time difference similar to that achieved by the first and so on, until the 60 best come out. In the World Championships, the 45 best classified in the sprint distance come out.
In the men's category, 12.5 km must be covered; while in the women's race, the circuit they must complete is 10 kilometers.
All biathletes must perform four sets of shots: the first two in a lying position and the last two in a standing position. The penalty is the same as for the sprint distance, that is, a return to the penalty loop located next to the shooting range. The IBU has presented this competition to be included in the program of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, in 2002.
Mass departure
The main feature of this competition is that all competitors start at the same time. In the World Cup, the 27 best classified in it come out; while in the World Championship, the three medalists from the individual sprint and pursuit events must also be included.
The distances and series of shots are similar to those of the pursuit test, with the particularity that, in each series, the biathletes have eight pellets to shoot down the five targets (a situation similar to that of the relay test). .
As in the chase, the spectator knows at all times who is the leader of the race and there is no need to wait until the end of the race to know who the winner is.
