In a pursuit, biathletes’ starts are separated by their time differences from a previous race, most commonly a sprint. First contestant to go through the finish is the winner. The distance is 12.5 km for men and 10 km for women, skied over five laps. There are four shooting bouts in order of two prone and two standing. Every miss means one penalty loop of 150 m. To prevent awkward or dangerous crowding World Cup Pursuits are held with only the 60 top ranking biathletes after the preceding race. The biathletes shoot at the lane corresponding to the position they arrived (Arrive at the range in 5th place, you shoot in lane five.) for all shooting bouts.
biathlon 