Competition Classes

COMPETITION CLASSES:  The following classifications are for both male and female.

Boy/ Girl  (13 – 16 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors will not carry a rifle and will shoot only from the prone position at offhand targets. Competitors may shoot either with or  without the aid of a cuff.  These athletes should be encouraged to practice shooting standing, but in a competition they will only be permitted to shoot prone. **

Youth  (17 – 18 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets.

Junior  (19 – 21 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets.

Senior  (22 – 39 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets.

Master 40  (40 -49 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets. ***

Master 50  (50 -59 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets. ***

Master 60  (60-69 years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets. ***

Master 70  (70+ years of age as of December 31 of the current biathlon season) – Competitors must carry a rifle and shoot from both the prone and offhand positions at regulation targets. ***

Novice – Competitors who are 17 or more years of age, in their first season of competition, or choose not to carry a rifle will shoot both prone and offhand at the offhand targets without a cuff and will not be eligible for ESG competition. All novice events will be sprint format (2 shooting stops) **

*       Athletes may ask their club to sponsor an appeal to the New York Biathlon Committee that would enable them to compete in the next higher classification.  The committee will base its decision on the athlete’s ability to handle the requirements of the new classification and to compete safely.

**     Participants who do not carry a rifle must shoot from designated shooting positions where a range official will provide assistance and ensure that all safety procedures are followed.  Any violation of these procedures will lead to immediate disqualification and removal from the race.  If the designated shooting positions are occupied, a timer will be started and the participant will have to wait for one of the designated positions.

***    At the New York Biathlon Champs or ESGs, an athlete over 39 years of age may compete in the senior  classification provided they declare this intention to the State Chairman no later than February 1^st.

The Biathlon season will run concurrently with the USBA membership term, from November 1^st to the following October 31^st