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Written by By Emma Garrard/ Special to the Tahoe World
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Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
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 What is biathlon?
A winter Olympic sport that combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting using a .22 rifle. Contestants ski and then shoot two to four times, in both prone and standing positions. Each contestant has five shots and five targets to hit each time, for every target missed the skier has to either ski a 150-meter penalty loop or have a minute penalty added to their overall time.
The sports originates from Norway and was used as military training for soldiers dating back to 1776. The sport was demonstrated the Olympic Winter Games in 1928 as a military patrol event and was finally included in 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley.
Always wanted to try a sport that combines the endurance of a cross country skier with the skill and accuracy of a marksman?
Auburn Ski Club keeps the Olympic sport alive with annual race
It’s that time of year again, your one shot at giving what is arguably one of the most challenging sports a try: the 10th Mountain Division Biathlon Race at Auburn Ski Club is this Sunday at 10 a.m.
“I think it’s probably the most difficult sport,” Erick Studenicka, a member of the Nevada National Guard Biathlon team said. “You are never quite satisfied with your race, you always think you can shoot or ski a little better. It can be really frustrating but it can be really rewarding if you shoot well.”
Studenicka helped teach a biathlon clinic for beginners at Auburn Ski Club last Sunday.
Tom McElroy of Truckee, a former U.S.A. Biathlon team member also helped out at the clinic, agreed with Studenicka. McElroy moved to the area in the late ‘70s to train at the Olympic Training Center in Squaw Valley that had a biathlon range — no longer in existence.
 “Biathlon is a contradiction — you have two totally different sports,” McElroy said. “It’s a very different mental transition from skiing to shooting. It’s a real challenge to come into the range with a pulse and shoot a target,” McElroy said.
According to Studenicka the race is good for first timers: “The penalty laps (for missing a target) aren’t too short. And you don’t have to carry a rifle so it’s great for first timers.”
But despite its difficulties, skiers testing out the sport gain understanding and appreciation for the Olympic sport. Not to mention having a little fun.
Studenicka said the type of people who can succeed at biathlon are those who are aerobically gifted from cross country skiing, but with the patience and attention to detail that marksmanship requires.
Dan Warren, a Nordic skier from Truckee who also has experience shooting, tried to put the two sports together for the first time last Sunday.
“It takes a lot of mental discipline to shut down one activity and start the next,” Warren said. “I think it’s fun. Anytime I get to do something new.”
Warren said it was unfortunate he could only practice biathlon once a year or he would be more involved.
“I would like to be more involved, but unfortunately I do not see more events coming up,” Warren said.
Sally Jones of Auburn Ski Club helps organize the race each year so people can experience the sport first-hand and hopes to create the opportunity to pursue biathlon for Nordic skiers.
“It’s an Olympic sport and we try to keep it alive in the region,” Jones said. “It’s a taste of the event. You never know you may get a biathlete out of it.”
Tips for biathletes
• Always point the rifle in a safe direction.
• Never have your finger on the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Your bolt should be open until ready to shoot.
• Don’t go down the range to watch the race, stay behind the firing line.
• Don’t ski hard into the range, ease up so you won’t be breathing hard while shooting.
• Before you compete, participate in the biathlon clinic to become familiar with the type of rifle you are going to use.
• Try to make concentric circles with the rifle’s sight on the targets.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 April 2008 )
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