Equipment control area

This is the area immediately before the start line and immediately after the finish line where officials check the safety of the rifle and either mark a biathlete’s equipment, or verify that the marks are still there at the end of the competition. This is done to ensure the athlete starts and finishes the competition on the same pair of skis.

Transponder

A microchip worn on the skier’s ankle that transmits an identification signal each time the skier passes a timing line along the course.

Offset (V1), 1-step (open skate, V2-alternate), 2-skate (V2)

Different variations (with American denotations) of free technique used in uphill (offset or V1) and flat terrain.