Military patrol
Military patrol is a team winter sport in which athletes compete in cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Formerly ski mountaineering was also part of the sport. It is usually contested between countries or military units.
The military patrol competition encompasses 20 km cross-country skiing (15 km for women) and rifle shooting. The size of the patrol is four members, one leader and 3 members. The leader does not take part in shooting. The rules[1] are very similar to modern biathlon.
Military patrol forms part of the International Military Sports Council (Conseil International du Sport Militaire, or CISM) skiing championships starting in 1929. It was in the official programme of the Winter Olympic Games in 1924 Chamonix,[nb 1] and on three occasions as a demonstration sport (1928, 1936 and 1948). In 1924, the military patrol team member Camille Mandrillon took the Olympic Oath on behalf of the competitors.[2]
Historical rules
[edit]Historically the military patrol competition encompassed 25 km cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The total climb had to be from 500 to 1200 meters (300 to 700 for women). The participating patrol had to consist of one officer, one non-commissioned officer (NCO) and two privates. The officer carried a pistol instead of a rifle and did not take part in the shooting. The total weight of the backpacks of the NCO and the privates had to be at least 24 kilograms.
Successor sports
[edit]Biathlon was developed from military patrol.[nb 1]
Another military skiing event is the Patrouille des Glaciers, which also includes competitions and rankings for civilian competitors.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ "CISM REGULATIONS FOR SKIING 2023". International Military Sports Council. p. 10. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games" (PDF). Factsheet. International Olympic Committee. 21 June 2012. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ "Biathlon Results - Chamonix 1924". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Olympic Games Medals, Chamonix 1924". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
- ^ Official Report (1924), p 646: Le Programme ... II. — Epreuves par équipes - 12. Ski : Course militaire (20 à 30 kilomètres, avec tir). (The Programme ... II. — Team events - 12. Skiing : Military Race (20 to 30 kilometres, with shooting)).
- ^ Official Report (1924), p 664: CONCOURS DE SKI - Jurys - COURSE MILITAIRE. (Skiing Competitions - Juries - Military Race)
General bibliography
[edit]- Official Report (1924) of both Summer and Winter games: M. Avé, Comité Olympique Français (ed.). Les Jeux de la VIIIe Olympiade Paris 1924 – Rapport Officiel (PDF) (in French). Paris: Librairie de France. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.