What is the start window in biathlon?
I · Intermediate · Starts, finish and penalties · 5 of 7There are four kinds of start: single, pursuit, group and simultaneous. A single starter must leave within 3 seconds either side of their time. Earlier is an early start, and the skier must go back and restart; failing to return brings 30 seconds. Late starters lose the time. A false start in a mass or relay start brings a restart.
How it works
- Single starts: individual, sprint and super sprint qualification, usually 30 or 15 seconds apart.
- Start window: 3 seconds either side of the listed time.
- Early start: go back behind the line and restart; lost time counts.
- Not returning: a 30-second penalty.
- Late start: the clock runs from the listed time.
- Pursuit: at least one foot on or behind the line at the start time; checked by an official.
- Simultaneous starts: a shot or flag; warnings at 1 minute, 30 seconds and "ready".
- False start: in mass, group or relay starts, the field is stopped and restarted.
The glossary has the start window, the start numbers, the thirty-second penalty, the hand-over zone, the pursuit and the mass start.
Tricky cases
A sprint skier leaves 5 seconds early and keeps going. Penalty?
30 seconds, on top of their actual start time being recorded.
A skier is late to the start through their own fault. What happens?
They start at the first chance and their time counts from the listed start, plus a 30-second penalty.
A relay skier leaves the hand-over zone without a tag. What now?
They must go back to the zone and restart.
A skier wears the wrong bib colour. Penalty?
Disqualification, even if it was a team mistake.
Why the rule exists
A short window keeps single starts fair while allowing for human reactions. Restarting a mass start is fairer than punishing one skier among many.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Single starts | 3-second window | IBU 6.4.1 |
| Pursuit | 3 seconds early or less, 30 seconds; more, DSQ | IBU 11.3.1 a, 11.3.4 q |
| Mass and relay | Restart | IBU 6.4.6 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Articles 6 and 11.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.