UNION INTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE

1. UNIONINTERNATIONALE DE PENTATHLON MODERNE Combined Event

2. Brief History • The first attempt to introduce the Combined Event was during the 1987 UIPM Congress in Moulins (FRA). • The idea was from Willy Grut, Modern Pentathlon Olympic Champion in London 1948, and former UIPM General Secretary • Asia has organised annually Combined Event competitions since the last ten years and the Asian Games has been organised with this format • In Europe, the Combined Event format started in 2007 and with it, the important steps to create applicable and valid Combined Event Rules for the future

3. Combined Event Competitions in 2007 Vilnius - European Youth A Championships - 14 July First Official Competition in Europe

4. Rules of the First Official Test On 14 July 2007 at the European Youth A Championships in Vilnius, the first test of the Combined Event format took place using the following rules: • Handicap start on the shooting lines • 10 shots, 1000m run; 5 shots, 1000m run; 5 shots 1000m run • Shooting on a biathlon target, on the 7-zone (59.5 mm) • In case of a missed shot, the athlete paid a penalty lap • The penalty loop was 70 meters The test was positive The athletes were happy and the spectators enjoyed the event BUT: • This format needs a judge for each athlete • The penalty laps can create confusion

5. For the aforementioned reasons, the second test was organised without penalty laps. The athletes had unlimited numbers of shots to hit all the targets before starting each running leg. Rules of the Second Official Test The 2nd Combined Event test took place in Pretoria, on the occasion of the World Youth A Championships, 31 August • Combined event without penalty laps: • Easy to organise • Easy to follow • Less judges needed

6. Combined Event Competitions in 2008 • 2007 UIPM Congress approved testing the Combined Event during 2008 using different rules • Thanks to help from the Organisers of the World Cups, NORCECA and European Championships and World Youth Championships it will be possible during 2008 to organise more than 20 Combined Event test competitions • The next slides show the tests completed so far this year and the different rules that were applied ………and the future tests

8. 2008 Combined Event Tests By the end of 2008, the Combined Event format will have been tested in more than 20 competitions: • in Individual competitions • in Relay competitions, including mixed relay (one man-one woman) • with different age groups • with both genders • with and without penalty laps • with limited and unlimited numbers of shots • with different number of shots in each series • with different running lap distances • with different time limits for each shooting series As at 22/04/2008, 165 athletes representing 37 different nations from all six continents have participated in Combined Event test competitions.

9. Rules for the 2008 Test Events On the basis of the previous tests and with the aim to simplify as much possible the Combined Event rules and the system to organise the competitions, the UIPM Technical Committee identified these Milestones: • Competitions without penalty laps are easier to organise and to follow • Shooting an equal number of targets in each series is simpler to understand • Shooting an unlimited number of shots allows the spectators to understand better the competition (the athlete cannot move from the shooting line till he/she has hit all five targets) • So that the athlete does not spend too long at the shooting line trying to hit all 5 targets, it is necessary to apply a time limit (the competition is closer and more interesting) The Milestones for the new rules

10. The Milestones cont. • Studying the balance between the old and new shooting systems, it was decided 3 series of 5 targets in a time limit of 1’30” was optimal • After the time limit has expired the athlete can start the running leg • The distance of each running leg must be the same (easier to organise and understand) • To avoid confusion between the first athletes and last athletes on the running course: • Athletes with a handicap after the previous 3 events of more than 3 minutes will start in a pack start (but their final time will be recalculated based on their real handicap) • If an athlete is lapped, the athlete is eliminated and will be classified in last position

11. The Milestones cont. • The point tables for Senior, Junior, Youth A and Youth B, Men and Women, will be the same • The distance and format of Individual and Relay competitions will be nearly the same (easier also for training) • Individual 3x5 targets; 3x1000m run • Relay 2x5 targets; 2x1000m Run (for each athlete) • It will also be possible to split the final into two series to avoid confusion of too many athletes on the course and to simplify the event organisation • In this case, warming up of the second series must be arranged in a separate area

12. COMBINED EVENT - Model INDIVIDUAL Handicap Start; 20 metres run; 5 Targets down (1’30”); 1000m run; 5 Targets down (1’30”); 1000m run; 5 Targets down (1’30”); 1000m run; Finish. • RELAY • Handicap Start; • 20 metres run; • 5 Targets down (1’30”); • 1000m run; • 5 Targets down (1’30”); • 1000m run; • TRANSITION; • (on the start/finish area) • 2nd athlete • TRANSITION; • 3rd athlete • Finish. SAME 1000m COURSE

13. COMBINED EVENT - Scoring INDIVIDUAL MEN & WOMEN Senior, Junior, Youth A and Youth B 13’00” = 2000 points, ± 4 points/second 21’ 20” = 0 pts RELAY MEN & WOMEN Senior, Junior, Youth A and Youth B 26’00” = 2000 points, ± 4 points/second 34’ 20” = 0 pts

14. Combined Event – The System Competitions must take part in a Pentathlon Stadium where the spectators can watch the last 3 pentathlon events: In “A” Category competitions, • Electronic targets with visible lamps will be compulsory • The Shooting ranges must be constructed in such a way as to protect the athletes from any adverse weather conditions • A professional Commentator will be compulsory • Riding • Combined Event (Shooting / Running) With the top 18 athletes in the 2nd round of riding, it will be possible to show 3 superb pentathlon events in 1 hour 30 minutes

15. Pentathlon Stadium Where the spectators can assist to the last 3 pentathlon events: Riding Combined Event (Shooting / Running) With the top athletes in the 2nd round of riding it will be possible to show in 1 hour and 30 minutes 3 super pentathlon events

16. The Pentathlon Stadium is a fundamental requirement to organise successful competitions 3 pentathlon events in one area – a 1½ hour show on the same site

17. COMBINED EVENT - The Course Last Pen. TARGETS LINE SHOOTING LINE GATES A Start B Finish Intermediate Lap

18. COMBINED EVENT – Shooting Stand ROOF minimum 4m deep (preferably transparent) The Shooting Range must protect the athletes from wind and rain

19. COMBINED EVENT – Shooting Range 1.40 m ± 0.05 m 0.70 – 0.80 m 10 m

20. COMBINED EVENT – Shooting Stand TARGET WALL SHOOTING TABLE LATERAL WALL ROOF FIRING POSITION SEPARATOR The sun must be behind the athletes

21. COMBINED EVENT – Shooting Area Plan (view from above) 181716151413 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 00 TARGET LINE LATERAL WALLS 10m 181716151413 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 00 TABLE LINE 1.5m SHOOTING LINE One way min 4m JUDGES AREA PUBLIC AND COACHES AREA

22. Electronic Targets - Lights ATHLETE ARRIVES IN SHOOTING POSITION AND PUSHES THE BUTTON Shooting consists of hitting all five targets with an unlimited number of shots but in a time limit of 1 minute and 30 seconds for each series 1.40 m ± 0.05 m Shooting can start only after the targets have been reset Red light means targets are set Electronic Targets will be used for “A” Category Competitions

23. Electronic Targets - Lights 1.40 m ± 0.05 m After every positive shot a green lamp lights to show the positive result

24. COMBINED EVENT - Lights GO! 1.40 m ± 0.05 m After all five targets have been hit the athlete can start the running leg

25. COMBINED EVENT - Lights 01:30 GO! Elapsed Time If after 1 minute and 30 seconds all the five target have not been hit, the athlete can start the running leg 1.40 m ± 0.05 m

26. Mechanical Targets Mechanical targets can be used for International “B” Category competitions , national competitions and for normal training

27. THE TARGET SYSTEM Competition Target Sighting target

28. How to set the targets

29. THE SHOOTING LINE

30. How to fix the reset target rope

31. Mechanical targets are a very simple system to organise training in any place

32. The Competition Senior/Junior/Youth A, Men and Women, consists of: Handicap start, 20m run, 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run Youth B, Boys and Girls, consists of: Handicap start, 20m run, 5 Target downs (time limit 1’30”); 500 m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 500m run; 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); 1000m run

33. Relay competition Teams of 3 athletes Senior/Junior/Youth A, Men and Women, consists of: • Handicap start, 20m run, • 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); • 1000m run; • 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); • 1000m run for each of the 3 athletes. Youth B, Boys and Girls, consists of: • Handicap start, 20m run, • 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); • 500m run; • 5 Targets down (time limit 1’30”); • 1000m run for each of the 3 athletes

34. Warming Up The warming up time is 20 minutes, during which it is possible to shoot an unlimited number of shots and to run. For aiming, paper targets can be used. During warm up, Coaches can assist their athletes but outside the running corridor. Before warming up starts, athletes have 5 minutes to prepare their shooting position and put on their bib numbers. Shooting warm up finishes 3 minutes before the race starts.

35. COMBINED EVENT - Clothing • Athletic clothes • Top with name and NF code (3 letters) on the back professionally printed, 7-12 cm, color contrasting • Athletic shoes, with or without spikes • Wristbands or similar on the shooting hand is prohibited • Water and towels allowed at the firing position • 2 Bibs with start numbers (provided by LOC) • back – 15cm x 10cm front – 20cm x 20cm

36. The Start Handicap start, using two gates 20m run to shooting line First shooting series - 5 Targets down in 1’30”

37. Athletes have to hit all 5 targets before starting their run If after 1’30”, the athlete still has not hit all their targets, they can start their run

38. COMBINED EVENT - Penalties With the Combined Event, the Rules are very simple and all the penalties can be shown on two slides …..

39. COMBINED EVENT - Penalties

40. First Conclusions on the Combined Event • We create a more exiting competition. • During the Combined Event (Running/Shooting) the final result can change at any moment. • We reduce the competition time without interfering with the athletes preparation. • We reduced the number of judges needed. • We concentrate the last 3 events (Riding, Running, Shooting) in 1½ hours and in the same competition area (the Pentathlon Stadium) which is fantastic for Spectators, Media and Television. • We give to the Spectators the real possibility to watch and to understand immediately what is happening (falling targets or lights on electronic targets allow those who are not expert to understand if the shot was good or not). • We simplify the current, not so easy, rules • It will be easier to recruit new young athletes

41. Complete TimeSchedule Instead of starting 6 o’clock in the morning and finishing late in the night, with the athletes competing without spectators, especially the first part (shooting), we can start at 10 o’clock or later and finish the whole competition in 7 hours.