2013

Forest biathlon “Mailes 2013”

The Vidusdaugava Forestry of the state-owned joint-stock company "Latvia’s State Forests” in cooperation with the Plaviņas Regional Council, the public organization “Meža sports” and PSK “SKANSTE” is organizing a biathlon competition in the Vietalva County’s Skiing Stadium “Mailes” on February 9.

All forest enthusiasts (owners, hunters, workers, family members, nature watchers, strolling fans) are invited to participate in the competition.

Children up to ten years old can participate in their own skiing event – one lap (without shooting).

Biathletes start in intervals and ski the distance in the freestyle technique without rifles. After the first and second lap, men make their way to the shooting area to hit five targets. After the second shooting round, they ski one more lap and finish.

Women shoot after the first lap. Afterwards, they cover one more lap and finish.

For each miss, a penalty lap (approximately 80 to 100 metres) must be skied before the race can be continued. Participants keep track of their laps. For each lap not taken, a penalty time of two minutes is added to the total time.

Shooting is done in the standing position with low energy pneumatic weapons without optical sights. The target range shooting distance is 8 to 9 metres.

Organizers provide ten bullets to practice shooting paper targets.

Participants are allowed to use their own weapons if they meet the requirements of the event’s regulations.

One lap is 2.3 kilometres long. If weather conditions are appropriate, a classical track will also be provided.