Biathalon on TV

Yep. Way cool!

I've always thought that the biathelon was one of the most difficult sports. They were huffing and puffing and were still able to be deadly accurate shots. Amazing athletes.
 
The breath control of biathletes is amazing. How they can control their breathing and shoot the plate after a fast ski is beyond me.
 
You would be amazed to know the 1960 American team at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, used Winchester Model 70 rifles in .243 Winchester. That was the first winter olympics with a biathlon competition. The highest scoring American finished 14th. There had been previous biathlon competions and semi-automatic rifles were sometimes used, including M1 rifles. It had previously been thought of as a military ski patrol competition and competitors from northern countries tended to win.
 
TV

There used to be TV coverage available from Euro TV that was recorded and made available via the internet.
Evidently, the sport is very popular in Europe.
For years I wanted a Fortner bolt Anschutz biathlon rifle - just because - it was a wait til I retire promise that I did, if fact, carry out:
1827-Fortner-big.JPG

This is the stock Model 1827 rifle. Comes with five magazines. The Olympic competitors use a lighter custom composite stock.
It is accurate enough for me to use in prone rifle matches.
Pete
 
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I was really interested by their backpack-style slings. I thought a sling like that might be useful for hunting. I'd be willing to try it out.
 
slings

The back carry harness is available from Champions Choice, among others. Like everything connected with these rifles, they are not cheap. The ones that are used in competition have a stiffener in them so that they are easy to take off/put on.
http://www.champchoice.com/detail.aspx?ID=594
I made my own from old back slings and bungee cords; it works just fine for going back into the woods on skis with this rifle.
Pete
 
Currently watching men's biathalon - sucks that these guys spend years training and their medal prospects come down to weather and where they started.
I once saw somebody's biathalon team train during the summer in Vermont - those guys were flying on roller skis.
 
This winter Olympics just cant catch a break. Dead Luge driver, busted torch at the opening ceremony, unseasonably warm weather for the skiers...
 
I caught some of the Biathalon yesterday - fun to watch. Interesting bolt action rifles - I've never seen them actually used before.
 
Yes! Biathlon is one of my very favorite Olympic sports. How could it not be, when it combines two things I actually do? (And don't I just wish I did either even half as well as those folks...)

And there's quite a bit more TV coverage -- according to my TV schedule, this is what's still to come (all on NBC -- and all times are EST, so your mileage may vary):

Tuesday February 16, 2010
12:00p - 4:00p Olympic biathlon in the men's 12.5k and the women's 10k. (live ET/CT).

Thursday February 18, 2010
2:00p - 2:30p Women's Biathlon15km.

Sunday February 21, 2010
12:30p - 2:00p Men's Biathlon The 30 top-ranked men compete in the 15km mass start as Biathlon continues.
10:35p - 11:35p Late Night Women's 12.5km Biathlon.

Friday February 26, 2010
2:00p - 4:00p Daytime U.S. men's Hockey (live ET/CT) . Snowboarding and Biathlon.

And yes, it would be very cool to have one of those rifles. Maybe someday...

ETA: Details of the various competitions, and links to other biathlon info, can be found here
 
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