Biathlon/Para Biathlon

About

From Paralympic.org

10 things to know about Para Biathlon

Para Biathlon demands laser focus, physical strength and pinpoint accuracy. Find out more about one of the most fascinating sports at the Winter Paralympics.

The word ‘biathlon’ comes from the Greek for ‘two contests’. It too has its origins in Scandinavian history and has evolved from the practice of hunting on skis using a rifle.

Para Biathletes with physical impairments compete in two categories – sitting and standing – while those with vision impairments compete in one category and can be supported by a guide.

In biathlon, athletes with vision impairments use rifles which make a sound to help them aim. Depending on the signal intensity, the noise indicates when the athlete is on target.

The target size in Para Biathlon for athletes with vision impairments is just 21mm, while for athletes with a physical disability, it is 13mm. Both must be targeted from 10m away.

Biathlon burst onto the Paralympic programme at Innsbruck 1988, for athletes with physical impairments. In 1992, athletes with vision impairments also became eligible.

Since the first Games, a total of 95 biathlon gold medals have been awarded.

Fifteen countries have won gold and 19 at least one medal in biathlon at the Paralympic Winter Games.

The events consist of a 2.0 or 2.5 km course skied three or five times in the free technique for a total race distance between 6-12.5 km, depending on if it is the sprint, middle or individual race.

Between the two stages, athletes must hit two targets located at a distance of 10m. Each miss is penalised by an increase in the overall route time

Ukraine’s Vitaliy Lukyanenko and German Verena Bentele are the most decorated male and female biathletes, respectively.

Equipment

Click here for biathlon equipment suppliers.

Competition

One of the most successful winter Paralympic athletes with nine cross country and five biathlon Olympic medals, Team USA’s Oksana Masters has documented her remarkable story in a gripping new book from Simon & Schuster: The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph. In her Heartbeat interview she dives deep into her emotional story

Read the full article here.

Learn More

THE HARTFORD Ski Spectacular, hosted by Move United at the Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, Colorado, is one of the nation’s largest winter sports festivals for people with disabilities, with more than 800 registered participants annually. For over three decades, thousands of participants have experienced the transformational power of #SkiSpec

The title sponsor of the event is THE HARTFORD Financial Services Group. THE HARTFORD has been an advocate for the adaptive sports movement and sponsor of athletes with disabilities for more than 25 years, and the Presenting Sponsor for the last 30 years. As a leading disability insurer, the company has a long-held belief that sports are an important part of physical rehabilitation following a disabling illness or injury.

Ski Spec’s host chapter is Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center.

The programs offered during this week-long event include learn to ski and snowboard lessons, a week-long race camp, Level I Race (Ski Spec Challenge Race), Nordic skiing, free clinics (in Nordic skiing, biathlon, and sled hockey), Ski Spectacular Instructor Academy (formerly PSIA-AASI National Adaptive Academy) for Instructors, banquets, and other social/networking events.

THE HARTFORD Ski Spectacular strengthens and expands adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the U.S. and helps identify and train youth, wounded warriors, and others with disabilities who strive to be winter Paralympians.

Sports make us more. Join us and experience the power of #SkiSpec.

Click here for more information.

Programs Near You

Ready to try out biathlon? Click here to find a location near you!