Three hundred boys and girls from 25 regions of the Vitebsk region will take to the ski track of the Vitebsk State College of the Olympic Reserve from January 23 to 28 to compete for a place in the republican competitions in Raubichi.
– The distinctive feature of "Snow Sniper" is that only amateur children can compete, i.e., those who do not professionally engage in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and shooting in specialized schools. While we don't have shooting [as a professional sport], there are many skiing and biathlon departments in the region. Therefore, the mandate commission checks all lists to ensure that the participants are not registered in sports schools and have not participated in republican skiing and biathlon competitions for two years, – said Sergey Babich, Director of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Physical Education and Sports of Students and Pupils.
The competitions are held in three age groups, with 100 participants in each: an equal number of boys and girls. The junior group, comprising children born in 2012-2013, kicked off the regional selection. The middle age group (born 2010-2011) will compete on January 25-26, and the senior group (born 2008-2009) on January 27-28.
Each participant in the competition will undertake sprint races and a mixed relay in the free technique using pneumatic weapons. Each age group has its own distance: 1800 meters for the junior group, 2400 meters for the middle group, and 3000 meters for the senior group. At two prone shooting stages, five targets must be hit with a pneumatic rifle; a penalty loop is awarded for each miss.
Winners and prize-winners of the regional competitions will receive appropriate diplomas and medals in both individual and team standings for each age group.
As Sergey Babich noted, the young biathletes are monitored not only by coaches and the judging panel. Representatives of the region's specialized sports schools are looking to spot future champions.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by