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A combination of skiing and rifle shooting. Primarily bi-athletes come from the Armed Forces as there are no civilian biathlon clubs in the UK. Men's races are raced over 20/ 15 and 10km interspersed with four and three bouts of shooting.

Popularity
This is popular among the Armed Forces where the disciplines of shooting and skiing are part of the normal training. Civilian candidates will usually be keen cross-country skiers

Location
The nature of the sport requires access to snow! Therefore although parts of the UK are suitable in the winter, the best locations are really abroad. Shooting clubs should be the destination of anyone interested in developing shooting skills.

Age
Although you can learn to ski from almost as early as you can walk, the minimum age for shooting a rifle is fifteen years of age. Most bi-athletes tend to take to the sport in their early twenties.

Ability
Primarily a Winter Olympic sport, therefore the ability to ski well and also to be a good shot with a rifle are the abilities a person needs.

Description
Ideally people need to be physically fit, keen on running and shooting. For non Armed Forces persons, the need to learn cross-country skiing either on a holiday or by joining a club affiliated to Snowsport GB is essential.

Dedication
Biathalon is not a sport to be entered into lightly, as to reach the standard required to race on the world Cup circuit, a person would need to be very focused, and have access to funding either by private means or a sponsor. A lot of training, (seven months of the year, for four hours a day, accumulating in four months racing). This is not a sport for the faint hearted.

Potential
The European circuit, the world circuit and Olympics are all achievable

Closely Related Activities
Cross-country skiing 725 and rifle shooting 530.

Cost
Skis, roller skis and a rifle are the obvious purchases. The biggest cost is however the costs involved in the necessity to train abroad for months on end

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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