What are the penalties in biathlon?
I · Intermediate · Starts, finish and penalties · 7 of 7Biathlon has a ladder of penalties. 30 seconds is for an early pursuit start, a wrong lane or position or leaving the hand-over zone early. 1 minute is for not giving way or obstruction. 2 minutes is for a skipped penalty loop, unfired rounds, cross-firing or starting without a tag. Serious breaches, such as unauthorised help or unsafe handling, disqualify.
How it works
- Reprimand: minor breaches with no other penalty set.
- Start prohibition: wrong kit, a wrong bib or breaking training or zeroing rules.
- 30 seconds: early pursuit start, start window breach, wrong lane or position, safety marker repeat.
- 1 minute: not giving way in sprint or individual, obstruction, very minor unsporting acts.
- 2 minutes: skipped loop, unfired round, no tag, cross-fire, extra rounds, unmarked rifle.
- Disqualification: prohibited help, wrong course, no rifle, broken-ski rule, glide wax, safety breaches.
- Lapped and not stopping: disqualification at top events.
- Later: suspensions and fines, up to €1000 by the jury.
The glossary has the thirty-second penalty, the one-minute penalty, the two-minute penalty, the disqualification, the cross-fire and the Competition Jury.
Tricky cases
A skier leaves the range having fired only four shots with a target up. Penalty?
2 minutes for the unfired round, plus the penalty for the miss.
A coach skis alongside to pace a biathlete. Penalty?
Prohibited assistance from team staff disqualifies the biathlete.
A skier fires six shots in one bout. Penalty?
2 minutes.
Can a penalty be given after the final results?
Only suspensions and fines; other penalties must come before final results are published.
Why the rule exists
Set penalties for set breaches make decisions predictable. Keeping disqualification for the gravest acts, such as safety lapses, reflects that biathlon involves firearms.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Finish corridor breaches | Rank changes or time penalties | IBU 11.4 |
| Serious breaches | Suspension from later races | IBU 11.5 |
| Fines | Up to €1000 from the jury | IBU 11.6.1 |
From the rule book
International Biathlon Union, Event and Competition Rules (version 2026), Article 11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the IBU Event and Competition Rules, amended by the IBU Congress every two years.