What is Biathlon Pursuit: records, rules and history

In 1958, it was first held biathlon competitions. And in 1960, athletes have already entered the Olympic starting strip. From that moment began the history of biathlon as a popular sport.

Pursuit at the Olympic Games

Pursuit was held for the first time at the Winter Olympics 2002 in Salt Lake City. And in international competitions athletes ran this kind of races in December 1996. It should be noted that both times someone from the Russians won. In the XX century took first place Victor Maygurov and then distinguished Olga Pyleva. Unfortunately, at the present time, such success was not long. Particularly affected are in pursuit biathlon women results of the Russian national team.

What's Pursuit Biathlon: is this pursuit?

Yes, just there are two different names. Pursuit from English into Russian translated as "harassment." Thus was born the popular name of "Pursuit", which quickly came to be used in the press. Whatever term is used, the rules are the same. Let's talk about them.

Pursuit Rules

The length of the race distance for men and women is different. If junior distance is 7, 5 km away, the women - 10, and for men and juniors - 12, 5. 4 Biathlonists are abroad. Each of the targets 5. Two shooting are carried out in lying, others standing. In the case of a miss athlete sent to the penalty of 150 meters. For example, allowing a miss 4 of 5 shots, then you must run 4 laps of 150 meters: 4 * 150/1000 = 0.6 km in total. One such circle of men run for 20 seconds, while women - over 25. It's not so little.

In general, the distance to overcome, even for men does not exceed 35 minutes. It is difficult to run the race and women. Pursuit Biathlon results have always been considered one of the most unpredictable wind and track conditions made the competition a kind of lottery. We have to shoot after adjusting for gusts, but still have to guess with skis, so they slid rather than hindered the athlete. What is Biathlon Pursuit? A unique kind of competition that is gaining thousands of fans and is the most unpredictable in the biathlon competitions.

How to qualify for the Pursuit?

On the fall race not everyone athletes. Being selected according to the results of the previous race: sprint. His rule will be discussed in the next paragraph. It is difficult to get to the Pursuit Biathlon. What is getting to the World Cup competitions, every athlete knows. It is really very hard. To go to the start of the race of persecution sheet, it is necessary to occupy any place in the sprint to 60. And the sum involved in it 120 biathletes. That is, it is necessary to get into the top 50% of participants. However, sometimes one of the leaders of the world biathlon refuses to participate, there is still one important rule.

In pursuit athletes start with a lag with which they finished in the sprint performance. That is, if one takes the 5th place with a delay of 43 seconds, it will be necessary to wait the same time from the start of the first member of the time. Fined for false start in seconds. Usually between 30 to 90 seconds, depending on the difference between the required time and the actual start. So, if you make a false start at 0.5 seconds, then at the finish will add 30 seconds.

The selection in Pursuit: Sprint

A real challenge on the way to the pursuit will be a sprint. This race is composed of two lines, then again at each of five targets. The system of penalties at a miss completely the same as in the pursuit. But the distance is two times less. Therefore, speed is important here. No wonder that Martin Fourcade, who is the fastest course in the modern biathlon, not just won a victory in the men's pursuit.

In the biathlon, you can never determine who wins. This is connected with the changing weather, and misses athletes and absurd incidents on the track. Maybe that's why starting numbers are selected randomly in the sprint. This is done as follows: first, each country member states from their team (their number depends on the position of the team in general Nations Cup). Each team is required to take all four groups. The greater the number of the group (one to four), the later the athlete will start on. The first fifteen Biathlon Individuals have the right to choose any group. And then the number in the group (which is usually 25 or so people) are distributed randomly, by drawing lots.

Records Pursuit

So, let's begin:

the oldest winner of the race of persecution is Einar. He won when he was 41 already. Even almost 42, so no long running men. The results of the pursuit biathlon often could see his name.
Bjoerndalen - a great biathlete. On account of his victory in the pursuit with the highest number of errors. He made 7 errors, but still failed leadership. Show him this result helped the best move of the distance and the minute advantage at the start, which was won in a sprint.
Among women, too, have the legendary biathlete. M. Forsberg won 18 victories in pursuit. Moreover, in the amount she got on the podium in the pursuit race 34 times.
It happens that athletes who lose themselves in the sprint and pursuit with a huge gap from the top three or even six strongest, simply did not go to the start. But there are opposite cases. For example, Julien Robert and does Pursuit selected in the last 60. And the gap was leading the whole gulf from him. But this did not prevent him from committing the most ambitious breakthrough in the history of biathlon with 50 seats and get into the top ten. It happened at the Biathlon World Cup. Men in the Pursuit show unexpected results in principle. Even there is excitement in the debate: who is the number of times promazhet.

Result

Today, you learned what Pursuit Biathlon. To win it, you need to confirm your level of proficiency in two races: sprint and pursuit. It is also interesting to see the breakthroughs biathletes from the end of the list to the group leaders. It is difficult to win because of the firing line. You must have an incredible coolness and tranquility, not to go to the penalty loop. Pursuit around demanding to participants. That is why to win this race so prestigious.