What is the individual race in biathlon?
I · Intermediate · The competitions · 1 of 7The individual is the oldest and longest race: 20 km for men and 15 km for women, with four shooting bouts in the order prone, standing, prone, standing. Skiers start 30 seconds apart. Instead of a penalty loop, each missed target adds one minute to the time. The short individual is 15 km and 12.5 km with 45 seconds a miss.
How it works
- Men: 20 km, five loops of 4 km.
- Women: 15 km, five loops of 3 km.
- Start: one at a time, 30 seconds apart.
- Shooting: four bouts, prone, standing, prone, standing.
- Penalty: 1 minute added for each target left standing.
- Short individual: men 15 km, women 12.5 km; 45 seconds a miss.
- Juniors and youth: shorter distances with 45-second penalties.
- Lanes: free choice of any ready lane.
The glossary has the individual, the short individual, the penalty minute, the prone position, the standing position and the start window.
Tricky cases
A biathlete misses three targets. How much time is added?
Three minutes in the individual, or 2 minutes 15 seconds in the short individual.
Can they choose any shooting lane?
Yes, any lane ready in the right position.
Is the short individual a separate event?
It uses individual rules, and its points count towards the individual score.
How far apart do skiers start?
Normally 30 seconds.
Why the rule exists
A time penalty, rather than a loop, makes every miss cost exactly the same. Twenty shots over a long race test consistency more than any other format.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 20 km, 1-minute penalty | IBU 1.4.1, Table 1 |
| Short individual | 15 or 12.5 km, 45 seconds | IBU 1.4.1, 1.4.2 |
| Juniors | 15 or 12.5 km, 45 seconds | IBU 1.4.4, 1.4.5 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Articles 1.4, 6.1.2, 8.2.1, 9.2.1 and Table 1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.