Biathlon | Ruhpolding: World Cup relay leaders, why aren’t the French wearing red bibs?

Biathlon: no red bibs for the relays

On the Biathlon World Cup, several coloured bibs are used each week. Yellow for the overall leader, blue for the best U23 and red for the leaders in the specialities. To these three jerseys must be added the gold bib of the reigning world champion at the World Championships.

However, while the relay rankings award a small crystal globe at the end of the winter, no distinctive clothing is worn in the mixed and gender team events. As a result, the members of the French men’s team, currently leading the relay rankings, will have the same bibs as their rivals this Friday afternoon during the relay in Ruhpolding (Germany).

“Traditionally, race numbers have always been reserved for individual athletes, not teams, says the IBU’s communications department, when asked by Nordic Magazine. There is no real answer to your question, except that no one has probably ever raised the subject.”

As a reminder, France currently leads the relay hierarchy with a maximum of 180 points after two races. Norway (150), Sweden (130) andGermany (105) follow.

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