Biathlon: Grab your gun and your skis

  • By Jennifer Buchanan The Herald
  • Saturday, March 3, 2012 10:48pm
  • Sports

Welcome to the world of biathlon, a winter sport combining the highly aerobic discipline of cross-country skiing with precision target shooting. It’s a challenging endeavor that requires you to be fit enough to ski hard and then recover quickly enough to drop your heart rate in order to shoot well.

If the sport intrigues you, the Washington Biathlon Association hosts races at its home range at the Stevens Pass Nordic Center. The Nordic Center is located just east of the Stevens Pass summit. The WBA has two more races this season — on March 10 and 11.

ORIGINS

The sport can be traced to early man, who hunted or fought on skis in northern regions. The first recorded biathlon race was organized near the border between Sweden and Norway in 1767, but regular competitions were not held until the early 20th century. In the mid-1800s, Norwegian soldiers began using a form of the sport as a training exercise.

Although it has been around in one form or another for more than two centuries, the biathlon didn’t become an official Olympic sport until 1960. Women weren’t allowed to compete in an Olympics biathlon until 1992.

WHAT THEY DO

In biathlon competitions, participants ski various laps or distances carrying their rifle and ammunition with them at all times. Interspersed with the skiing are two or four shooting bouts, with half of the shooting done in a prone position and half done standing up.

In each shooting round, biathlon competitors must hit five circular targets, each set about 160 feet away. Targets for the prone position measure 1.8 inches in diameter; in the standing position they are 41/2 inches.

There are normally time penalties or extra penalty laps for each missed shot, so good shooting means less distance skied.

WHAT THEY SHOOT

Biathletes use a small bore, .22 caliber rifle and Long Rifle rimfire cartridges, which became the competition standard in 1978. Before that, more powerful rifles, such as the .30-06 Springfield, and high-power centerfire cartridges were the norm.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.