Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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Howdy, LGC Members and Lurkers,

In my new member introduction, :newhere: I mentioned that I did summer biathlons, and some folks wanted to know a little more about the sport. The short version is that the sport combines two disciplines. In the Winter Olympics it is cross country skiing and rifle shooting. A summer version exists (which is what I do) that is running and shooting. There are also mountain bike and snow shoe versions.

The rifle is a bolt action .22, and the targets are simple knockdown targets -- either you hit or miss. Each miss results in a penalty of either time added or the requirement to ski or run a penalty loop.

It is a tough sport, but a lot of fun to try to move fast, then bring your heart rate under control long enough to make five good shots from either the prone or standing position. I wrote a little blog post about it, with pictures of what a summer set up and what the targets look like. You can find it here:

http://fivekrunner.com/2015/09/22/races ... some-more/

I am in the Northeast, and most of the clubs have wound down their seasons, but the next season will likely start soon. The two clubs I have been at generally have some loaner rifles for beginners and welcome new people.

http://pemi.org/biathlon.html

And

http://www.harvardsportsmensclub.com/

My first biathlon was actually with a club out in Seattle. They seem to have some upcoming stuff in January.

http://www.wabiathlon.org/

Lake Placid, NY, Jericho, VT, and Salt Lake City, UT, also have biathlon ranges I believe.

Also, here is the link the US Biathlon site, which also has connections to where you can watch competitions on the Web: http://www.teamusa.org/US-Biathlon

I know other folks have made mention of biathlon from time to time. I'd love to hear about others' experiences and any races you know that are coming up. I still need to learn to ski, but I like to keep track of what is happening.

Happy to share what knowledge I have as well.

Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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For a much younger healthier version of me, but man that looks like fun. And a real challenge

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Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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Buck13 wrote:What is the size of the target (MOA)?
For prone it's 4.5cm (1.78") at 50m, so about 3.5 MOA. That's challenging, I can barely make 4 MOA prone in the best conditions, without an elevated heart rate. Standing up the target is 11.5cm (4.5") at 50m, about 9 MOA. No cake walk. This is definitely an olympic-grade sport.
Glad that federal government is boring again.

Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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What is MOA?

Also, for the folks wondering if they could do it, at the local matches, there is usually an adaptive class. So we have had walkers, a wheelchair class, and people with prosthetics compete. It's a lot tougher for people who have to propel themselves with their arms and then use those arms to aim and shoot, but they always seem to have a good time. If you have an interest and are close, come check one out. If you don't want to do the race, then you can always help with score keeping, educating new shooters, etc.

The winter biathletes do carry the rifles on their back. Since running would cause them to bounce around more than skiing, for summer biathlon I think it is generally considered safer to leave them racked, or stage them at the shooting mat for beginners.

Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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MOA is minute of angle, it's the language for adjustment of all scopes and many custom iron sights.

http://nssf.org/video/facts/MOA.cfm

A mass produced rifle firing mass produced ammo is expected to shoot 2 MOA, so the size of the bullet holes group should be less than 1" at 50m, if the rifle is put on a vise. A competent shooter should add no more than 2 MOA to that while prone, to a total of 4 MOA, or less than 2" at 50m.

With match grade rifle and match grade ammo, the platform should be capable of less than 1 MOA, giving the average shooter the ability to shoot 3 MOA, or less than 1.5" at 50m. As you can see the biathlon target doesn't leave much room for error, just a quarter of an inch leeway, and that's probably for the elevated heart rate.
Glad that federal government is boring again.

Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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One of my wifes students a couple years ago parents were both olympic class biathaletes. Met the parents at a school function and I geeked out asking all sorts of questions about the rifles. Wife told me to leave them alone. There are quite a few living in the area we are from what I was told.
Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here! The Dude.
Skilled Labor Isn't Cheap - Cheap Labor Isn't Skilled

Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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Stiff wrote:
Buck13 wrote:What is the size of the target (MOA)?
For prone it's 4.5cm (1.78") at 50m, so about 3.5 MOA. That's challenging, I can barely make 4 MOA prone in the best conditions, without an elevated heart rate. Standing up the target is 11.5cm (4.5") at 50m, about 9 MOA. No cake walk. This is definitely an olympic-grade sport.
Ouch. With iron sights, I would certainly not hit a lot of those. Even if I hadn't just been living life on the anaerobic threshold...
IMR4227: Zero to 900 in 0.001 seconds

I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.

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Re: Biathlon -- Moving and Shooting

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I just got some dates for biathlons in the Northeast from the organizer at Pemi:

Get excited: dates have been set for 2017 Pemi Biathlon races!


Jan 28

Feb 4

March 4

May 20

June 17

Aug 5

Sept 30

Oct 21


Events may be cancelled due to weather, so please be in touch if you have any questions before driving over. If you anticipate bringing a group of 5 or more participants that need to use club rifles and ammo, please be in touch before the race so that we can prepare.


More information can be found at http://pemi.org/biathlon.html but note that as of this email, the page has not been updated for 2017. Please feel welcome to download and complete forms beforehand and bring them along, but please do not send them, or payment, in the mail. We also have blank forms available at the events that you can fill out here.


For those interested, the Harvard Biathlon Club has been offering some exciting races. Their next events will occur on Jan 22, Feb 26, and March 26. https://www.facebook.com/HSCBiathlon


The Jackson Biathlon Club is offering a Wednesday race series: Jan. 4 (Training Day: included in series), 11, 18, 25. Feb: 1,8,15,22. March 1,8.

and a Sunday race series: Jan 15, 29. Feb 12, 26. March 12.

They also have programs for juniors and youth. Please contact Wayne at jxbiathlon@gmail.com


Finally, a few regional and national events:

Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 9, 16, 23. Ethan Allen Biathlon Thursday Night Series: Jericho, VT

February 11-12, 2017 NORAM #4 Ethan Allen Biathlon, Jericho, VT

February 18-19, 2017 NORAM #5 Lake Placid, NY

March 24-26, 2017 US Nationals, Jericho, VT


Ski fast, shoot straight!

Scott B

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