Biathlon: when the overall leader changes, the yellow bib will be given to him on the podium
On Tuesday evening, after the traditional flower ceremony rewarding the top 6 in the men’s individual short at the Kontiolahti Biathlon World Cup (Finland), another ceremony took place on the Finnish podium. The ceremony honoured Norwegian Endre Stroemsheim, winner of the race and overall leader.
He was presented with a yellow bib, symbolising his move up the World Cup hierarchy following his success in the first individual event of the winter. This was the first time that such a ceremony had been held in biathlon, although it has been part of the customs and habits of the cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined World Cups for many years.
Contacted by Nordic Magazine this evening to explain the reasons for this new ceremony, the IBU first specified that it would take place each time the yellow bib changed shoulders. So there is no question of handing over the leader’s tunic after each race, especially when it remains in the possession of the same biathlete. The way cycling works, with jerseys handed out repeatedly at the end of each stage, will not be copied.
Only the yellow number is concerned
Secondly, it’s only the yellow bib and not the other distinctive bibs, the red for the disciplines and the blue for the U23s.
“We noticed last year that, especially at the start of the season, there can be yellow bib wearers who have never worn it on a podium, adds the IBU. We also think that this creates good content for television and social networks.”
This Wednesday, following the women’s individual short, there will undoubtedly be another yellow bib ceremony, as Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, the title holder with a back injury, will not be in Kontiolahti.
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- Kontiolahti: for the first time in his career, Endre Stroemsheim will don the yellow World Cup leader’s bib
