An intriguing sport for spectators, adaptive biathlon combines the demanding sport of adaptive cross-country skiing with the precision of marksmanship. While every hundredth of a second counts, so does every shot, meaning athletes must control their breathing the entire race to ensure their hand stays steady. Those who succeed in balancing speed and accuracy will be the ones standing atop the podium at the end of the day.

For more information on adaptive biathlon, contact info@empirestatewintergames.com
 
SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 3
Para-biathlon Sprint – Mt Van Hoevenberg Biathlon Stadium
*All schedules are subject to change
 
REGISTRATION FEES* 
Scholastic (U21): $50
Masters (21 & up): $75

*Registration fee includes athlete gift.
 
REFUNDS
There are no refunds of entry fees. While registering please double check the dates of competition and qualification requirements needed to compete. In the case of a medical emergency, depending on the circumstances, a refund MAY be considered.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
Adaptations
Adaptive biathletes are athletes with a disability. These athletes are classified as standing, sitting or skiers with a visual impairment. The sport combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting but differs from able-body biathlon because skiers must always shoot from a prone position. Athlete start times are staggered by a 30 second interval system.
Competitors will run a short distance event where skiers race a 1.5-kilometer loop three times for a total of 4.5 kilometers, stopping twice to take five shots at a target placed 10 meters away. Each target has five plates in a row that must be hit within a 15-millimeter bullseye. A 150-meter penalty loop must be skied for each missed shot. The International Paralympic Committee uses the Nordic Percentage System to equalize categories and determine medal positions.
 
EQUIPMENT
Athletes must bring their own ski equipment.
Most standing and visually impaired athletes use the same skis and poles as able-bodied skiers. For the shooting portion, visually impaired skiers use an electronic system that sends out acoustic signals to indicate when they are nearing the target.
Sitting skiers use skis that are specially fit to a device called a sit-ski. This is a chair attached to a pair of skis, which allows a person with a lower-body disability to ski using poles and their upper body strength.
Empire State Winter Games will provide equipment to anyone who cannot provide their own.