olympic question

[buffermop]

In the men's biathalon, how do they tally the final score per participant? Is it a combination of time the course is covered and targets hit? Also what caliber rifles do they shoot? They look quite expensive.

[BBF]

don't have all the answers, the rifles are 22cal rimfire

[PowPow]

it appeared that you take a penalty lap around a little course next to the shooting range for each missed shot.
Then its just first one across the finish line.

The guns are all the same model, $ 4000 each.

[DDZ]

The rifles are 22lr and are a straight pull bolt. If you watch them shoot they just use a flip of their index finger on the bolt to chamber the next round.  

For each target missed they have to ski around a 150 meter loop, or in some races 1 minute of time is added to their total time. So it is won on best time overall. The targets are 1.8 inches while shooting in the prone position and 4.5 inches for standing. All targets are at 50 meters. 54 yards and 2 feet. All rifles have to be 7.7lbs minimum. You can bet that all are at 7.7 or very near that. All ammo is carried on the rifle in spare magazines. Many skiers slow their pace before getting to a shooting station so they will be able to control their breathing better. The targets that are hit flip to white and the misses remain black.    

[Rustyinfla]

   There was an article in the "National Rifleman" magazine about 15 or so years ago where the U.S. Navy Biathlon team was experimenting with tricked out Ruger 10/22's.

[woodchukhntr]

The last I knew, there is a penalty of one penalty loop for each missed shot.  It is an interesting sport matching speed and great exertion with the fine motor skills used in shooting.  I wonder how much longer it will be in the Olympics?

[billy_56081]

Thanks for posting this, I was wondering what the rules were. Why doesn't America do better in this event? i would think we have the most shooters of any country in the world.

[woodchukhntr]

America does not put a lot of effort into Biathlon recruiting and training.  There are few local organizations that give kids an opportunity to try it and advance their skills.  Can you imagine what would happen if kids started skiing the XC trails with rifles on their backs?  The SWAT teams would be called in to stop the ski terrorists!

America would rather develop skate dancing (or whatever it is called) or crazy people who race downhill and jump with sticks or boards.

[Brett]

The last I knew, there is a penalty of one penalty loop for each missed shot.  It is an interesting sport matching speed and great exertion with the fine motor skills used in shooting.  I wonder how much longer it will be in the Olympics?

I suspect it will be around at the Olympics for a while.  It is one of the best televised winter sports in the Northern European nations.   Unfortunately no such luck here.