The French biathlon delegation intends to shine at the Beijing Olympics with Quentin Fillon Maillet or Emilien Jacquelin. But what are the different tests? A brief guide to a high-profile sport.
There are relays, individuals, sprints, pursuits and “mass starts”. Understanding biathlon – one of the main reservoirs of French Olympic medals – can be a bit difficult. We review the basics to best follow the prowess of Emilien Jacquelin and Quentin Fillon Maillet, the heirs of Martin Fourcade.
How it works ? Individuals and sprints are time trials. For the individuals, the runners make four passages on the shooting range, twice lying down and twice standing up. Each shooting error is penalized by one minute on the clock. The men complete five 4 km loops, the women five 3 km loops.
For the sprints, the runners make two passages on the shooting range, first lying down then standing up. The men complete three 3.4 km loops, the women three 2.5 km loops. Each shooting error is penalized with one lap on a 150m penalty ring.
The sixty best in the sprint compete in the pursuit, five loops of 2.5 km for men and 2 km for women. The starting order and gaps are determined by the results of the sprint. Each shooting error is penalized with one lap on a 150m penalty ring.
The thirty best, according to the regulations of the International Biathlon Union (IBU), participate in the “mass start” (group start): five loops of 3 km for men and 2.5 km for women. Each shooting error is penalized with one lap on a 150m penalty ring.
For the relays – there is a mixed event, in which the French are the favorites – each biathlete passes twice on the shooting range, once lying down and once standing up. To knock down the five targets, he has eight balls, each target that has not fallen is penalized with one turn on a 150m penalty ring.
Where ? The events will take place at the National Biathlon and Cross-Country Center in Zhangjiakou. Some athletes denounce the conditions of the competition, in a place combining extremely cold temperatures and wind which can deflect the shots.
When ? The events will take place on February 5, with the mixed relay on 4×6 km, which will take place at 5 p.m. This will be followed by the women’s individual 15 km (February 7 at 5 p.m.), the men’s individual 20 km (February 8 at 4:30 p.m.), the women’s sprint over 7.5 km (February 11 at 5 p.m.) , the men’s 10 km sprint (February 12 at 5 p.m.), the women’s 10 km pursuit (February 13 at 5 p.m.), the men’s 12.5 km pursuit (February 13 at 6:45 p.m.), the men’s 4×7.5 km relay (February 15 at 5 p.m.), the men’s 4×6 km relay (February 16 at 3:45 p.m.) and the men’s 15 km “mass start” (February 18 at 5 p.m.). The last biathlon event, the women’s “mass start” over 12.5 km, will be held on February 19 at 5 p.m.