2007 November 28, 2007
The new system of qualification for the World Cup
International Biathlon Union (IBU) examines a new system of qualification, which is the brainchild of President Anders Besseberga IBU. It aims to reduce the endless minutes of the start of previous years, to increase the value of competition, and thus make the biathlon even more exciting. Disadvantages: At first glance, the system seems complicated and difficult to understand. Here - the gradual explanation of "the new system of qualifications 101.
1. Old rules for the World Cup in Kontiolahti - Qualifications for future World Cup
What remains:
In the sprint World Cup races and individuals in Kontiolahti apply the old rules.
Top 30 athletes to start the third of four starting groups.
The system estimates the World Cup remains the same
What's changing:
All athletes must pass the qualification for the stages in Hochfilzen (Austria) and Pokljukja (Slovenia) during the World Cup in Kontiolahti. In Hokfiltsene and Poklyuke 90 most powerful athletes on the basis of the first two World Cup will be allowed to launch.
Basis for qualification - a new rating system IBU. The athlete, who finished last in the race, earning one point, the last two points, and so on. This continues all the way up to fifth place, where differences in scores are increasing. The athletes who will earn fourth place at two points higher than the fifth, an athlete in third place at three points more than the athlete to chetvetom, and so on. The winner of the race in such a way to get 14 points more than the athlete, which is at the fifth spot.
This means that no athletes from weaker nations will no longer be allowed? No! Every nation that is not the best athlete among the 90, but allowed to register one athlete. 36 nations have already signed for the second phase of the World Cup in Hochfilzen, which means that starting protocols for Sprint will include approximately 100 athletes.
2. New Year - Successful participants European Cup qualify. 
Only the first 85 athletes in the IBU ratings admitted to start in three World Cup in January - and one athlete from each of the weak national federation. Therefore, starting the protocols will not be short as soon as ...
... Because now the eight most powerful athletes on European Cup to qualify for the World Cup
Upper limit: In order to inhibit a country to lead, there is a limit of seven start for each of the four major nations. Passed Cup of Nations - is still the decisive factor here.
This all may seem difficult, but it deystvitelnosi it is not.
Here - an example: The Strongest biathlon nations such as Germany, Norway, Russia or France, which, based on the offset of the Cup of Nations allowed to stand up to 7 athletes, regardless of other factors. Accordingly, the athletes that are not graded among the best eight in the Cup of Europe, can acquire skills in the World Cup if biathlete standing above rated will not be omitted because it exceeds the limit of participants from one country.
3. World championship in February
No changes related to the World does not: allow each nation, to stand the four athletes at every startup. Note: No points in the system IBU ratings are not provided during the world championship, which could have an impact on the continuity of the remaining World Cup.
4. Latest World Cup
Only the best 80 athletes acquire skills in the three final stages of World Cup in PyeongChang (Korea), Khanty Mansiysk (Russia) and the Holmenkollen (Norway) - plus one athlete from each of the weaker nations.
What is new: the three most powerful athlete in the European Cup qualify, regardless of their nationality. As a result, the most powerful nations have a chance to make up to 10 athletes.
5. After the Season
The new system will be analyzed and evaluated after the season, will include possible amendments. The final recommendation will be presented IBU Congress in September 2008 in Prague.
28.11.2007, Kontiolahti / FIN
Editor: Jurge PALME, ZDF digital productions
Pictures by Christian Manzoni
Translated by Vadim SHISHKIN
