When the cold starts, winter sports attract a large number of viewers and fans. The most common and prestigious is biathlon. This is a kind of sport that combines skiing and rifle target shooting. One of the most spectacular varieties of racing is sprint. Let's consider it in more detail.
Sprint
This is a type of ski race in which athletes go on the track with an interval of 15 seconds. Each athlete’s travel time is individual, so there is no difference in the start number. The distance for men is 10 km, at which there are 2 firing lines.
According to the rules, the rifle must weigh a minimum of 3.5 kg. This heavy object hangs on the shoulders of an athlete who needs to run 3 laps in a free style. For comparison: a sprint is a 10 km ski run with a brick on its shoulders.
Passage and shooting
After the initial round, athletes go to the shooting range. They have to fire at targets in a prone position. The distance to the goal is 50 meters. 5 targets are given 5 rounds. Shooting lying down is considered easier, so you need to get to the very center of the target - a 45 mm circle. For each miss, there is a penalty loop, which is equal to 150 meters.
After the second passage of the route, you have to shoot while standing. This process is much more complicated, therefore the target has a larger diameter. It is equal to 115 mm.
The bullets used by athletes are very light. The wind can easily deviate them from a given trajectory. This is the highlight of the competition. Sometimes athletes can be in unequal conditions, and the victory will be won by one who manages to get into the most calm interval.
Sprint men finish after completing the third round, when the toe of any ski crossed the finish line.
Women's Sprint
This is a kind of biathlon race in which extra meters are awarded for one miss, rather than 1 minute of a penalty. The main difference is the distance that girls must overcome. It is 7.5 km. The track has 3 laps (each equal to 2.5 km) and 2 firing lines.
Biathletes independently choose positions for target shooting. Each slip brings the athlete an additional 150 meters of the track. After the end of the competition, according to its results, a list of participants in the pursuit race is formed. The number is 60 athletes.
Because of the unexpected results, fans love biathlon. Sprint women run in any weather, and the right starting number can be victorious.
Overall standings
It consists of several categories. Women and men have different tables with glasses. For each place a certain number of points is given. After the 40th, athletes do not earn points. Points are added up throughout the season. The athlete who collects more than others receives the main prize - a crystal globe.
Besides him, there are other rewards. These are small crystal globes that can be obtained in each type of competition. Women will fight for the sprint separately, both for the pursuit race or from a general start. Points earned in these competitions also count toward the large crystal globe.
Belarusian rocket
Among the athletes who stand out for their results, one cannot miss the famous Daria Domracheva. She spent her childhood in Russia, but then moved to Minsk and began to play for the national team of Belarus.
The most successful time can be called February 2014. It was then that Daria won the Olympic Sprint and received the leader's yellow jersey. For her sake, many just watch biathlon.
Sprint women run after each other, but the focus is on leaders. Therefore, fans are not left without attention paid by television and commentators.
Top athletes
In addition to the Belarusian athlete, other girls should be highlighted. They advocate for many countries of the world. Among the leaders are Russia, Germany and Norway. Olga Zaitseva, Ekaterina Yurlova, Svetlana Ishmuratova and Albina Akhatova proudly defended the colors of the Russian flag. The ears of Diesel, Katie Wilhelm, Magdalena Neuner, Andrea Henkel more than once climbed the podium with the German flag.
Sprint is not only a serious form of competition, but also a very colorful spectacle that unites people, awakens a love of sports and maintains intrigue to the last starting number.