[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/a-hunters-guide-to-the-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympics\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/a-hunters-guide-to-the-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympics\/","headline":"A Hunter’s Guide to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics","name":"A Hunter’s Guide to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics","description":"If there were ever an Olympic sport that embodied the traits of a hunter \u2013 Endurance, Precision, Embracing the Elements...","datePublished":"2018-02-09","dateModified":"2018-12-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/#Person","name":"Hector Agosto","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Legendary Whitetails","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","url":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","width":522,"height":226}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/AdobeStock_9410734.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/AdobeStock_9410734.jpeg","height":686,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/a-hunters-guide-to-the-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympics\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":811,"keywords":["News"],"articleBody":"If there were ever an Olympic sport that embodied the traits of a hunter \u2013 Endurance, Precision, Embracing the Elements \u2013 the Biathlon is it. \u00a0In a day and age where half pipes, pucks, brooms, and ice skates take center stage, why is no one paying more attention to an event where athletes are flying through the snow and shooting rifles?How does that not get more coverage? \u00a0Hopefully, this Hunter’s Guide to the Olympics will help you find something worth watching during the Pyeongchang games outside of the ski slopes and ice rinks.Meet Team USAWhat is the Biathlon?The Biathlon is like a cross-country ski race combined with precision target shooting along the way.\u00a0 It is extremely popular in European countries where the sport originated as an exercise for Norwegian Soldiers training for the military. \u00a0Pretty cool, right?Although it\u2019s gaining momentum in the States, historically Germany, Russia, and Norway have dominated the event \u2013 so don\u2019t expect USA to take home the gold. \u00a0Aside from that, it should provide good entertainment value if you enjoy guns and snow!How the Biathlon Competition Works*To get a better idea of what exactly happens in a Biathlon, here\u2019s a quick breakdown. \u00a0The competition consists of a race in which biathletes ski around a cross-country trail system. \u00a0The total distance is broken up by either two or four shooting rounds. \u00a0These rounds are completed half in the prone position and the other half standing. Depending on the shooting performance (if you miss or hit the targets), extra distance or time may be added to the contestant’s total. The contestant with the shortest total time wins.The rifle rides on the athletes back while cross-country skiing via backpack like shoulder strapsShooter taking aim from the standing positionFor each shooting round, the biathlete must hit five targets. \u00a0Each missed target is penalized in one of three ways, depending on the competition format (there are multiple competitions in the Biathlon \u2013 Sprint, Pursuit, Individual, Mass Start, and Team Relay):By skiing around a 150-meter (490 ft) penalty loop – (It would be like you forgetting your release after already climbing up the tree and having to go back to the truck to get it)By having one minute added to a skier’s total time \u2013 (Like having to wait an hour after sunrise before you could legally take a shot)By having to use an “extra cartridge” to finish off the target. (Like having to buy more ammo before you could continue hunting)Shooting Round Details*The biathlete carries a .22 bolt action rimfire rifle, which weighs at minimum 7.7lbs. \u00a0This does not count for the ammunition which is carried in clips that attach to the custom stock. \u00a0Let\u2019s just make this clear, this no standard rifle. An average biathlon rifle costs a cool $5,000 and is fully customized to fit each shooter.The target range shooting distance is 50 meters or 160 ft. There are five circular targets to be hit in each shooting round. When shooting in the prone position, the target diameter is 45 millimeters or 1.8 in, when shooting in the standing position the target diameter is 115 millimeters (4.5 in). \u00a0The targets are self-indicating, meaning they flip from black to white when hit, giving the biathlete as well as the spectator\u2019s instant visual feedback for each shot fired. \u00a0How nice would that be at your local range?Now that you know a little bit about the event, here\u2019s when you can catch the action:\u00a0Full Biathlon Schedule*(Sources – Wikipedia)"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Legendary Whitetail's Blog"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/a-hunters-guide-to-the-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympics\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"A Hunter’s Guide to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics"}}]}]