What happens if a biathlete's rifle breaks?
A · Advanced · Shooting and skiing · 1 of 4Five rounds are loaded by magazine. If rounds are lost or misfire after the first shot, replacements must be loaded by hand, not with a new magazine. A rifle that breaks may be repaired only by the competition armourer or a range official, or swapped for a team reserve rifle at the range. No time is given back for any of this.
How it works
- Magazine: five rounds; a new magazine only if the first is lost or faulty before the first shot.
- Misfire: a round with no ignition; replaced by hand.
- Asking: raise a hand and call "Ammunition" or "Rifle" and the nation's name.
- Reserve rifles: up to three per team, checked and placed in a rack at the range.
- Swapping: only at the range.
- Repairs: by the skier, the competition armourer or a range official only.
- No time back: for repairs, swaps or new rounds.
- Breach: a second magazine instead of hand-loading is a disqualification.
The glossary has the misfire, the reserve rifle, the magazine, the ammunition, the spare round and the rifle.
Tricky cases
A rifle is damaged on the course. What does the skier do?
Carry it safely to the range and swap it for the reserve rifle before shooting.
Can a coach fix the rifle behind the range?
A coach may repair it for later use, but during the race only the armourer or a range official may help.
A round misfires on the third shot. New magazine?
No. The replacement must be loaded by hand.
Does the clock stop during a rifle swap?
No. There is no time adjustment.
Why the rule exists
Keeping all help at the range lets officials see it and stops teams from helping on the course. Giving no time back makes skiers responsible for their own kit.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Magazine | New one only before the first shot | IBU 8.4.2 |
| Reserve rifles | Up to three per team | IBU 8.6.2.1 |
| No adjustment | Repairs and swaps | IBU 8.6.3 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Articles 7.1.2, 7.3.3, 8.4.2, 8.6 and 11.3.4 (n, p). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.