The Agility Association of Canada (AAC) introduced the International Biathlon as a pilot program starting July 1, 2024. It's designed to test speed and handling at an international level, with courses that are fast, flowing, and challenging.
If you're running AAC trials and haven't tried Biathlon yet — or you're a trial secretary trying to figure out how to score it — this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is the International Biathlon?
The International Biathlon is a two-round event: Biathlon Agility and Biathlon Jumpers with Weaves (JWW). Both rounds are designed to be faster and more challenging than regular Masters courses, inspired by European Cup-style course design.
The key difference: courses should be open, smooth, and fast. The AAC specifically says to avoid choppy courses with excessive tight collection. Speed is an essential element of success.
Who Can Enter?
International Biathlon is open to all levels — Starters, Advanced, and Masters. No prerequisite is required. FEO (For Exhibition Only) runs are allowed too.
How Scoring Works
This is where it gets interesting. The International Biathlon uses a different scoring method than regular AAC classes:
- Biathlon scoring: Time + Faults (faults are converted to seconds and added to your course time)
- Regular scoring: Faults first, then Time (clean runs are ranked by time; faulted runs are separate)
To earn an International Biathlon qualifier (Q), your dog must run under the Standard Course Time (SCT) after time and faults are combined, in both the Agility and JWW rounds.
The Dual-Qualifying System
Here's what makes the AAC Biathlon unique: a single round can earn you multiple qualifiers.
- A clean run under SCT in Biathlon JWW also earns a regular Jumpers Q at your current level
- A clean run under SCT in Biathlon Agility also earns a regular Standard Q at your current level
- If both rounds are under SCT (Time + Faults), you also earn a Biathlon Q
So in a best-case scenario, one pair of Biathlon runs can earn you three qualifiers: a Jumpers Q, a Standard Q, and a Biathlon Q.
And here's the catch that trips people up: you can have faults in one or both rounds and still earn a Biathlon Q, as long as your combined Time + Faults stays under SCT for both rounds. But you won't get the individual Standard or Jumpers Q unless that round was clean.
Course Times
Biathlon courses use their own yards-per-second (YPS) ranges, which are faster than regular classes:
- Biathlon Agility: 3.3–3.8 yds/sec (vs regular Standard at slower speeds)
- Biathlon JWW: 3.8–4.6 yds/sec
Maximum Course Time (MCT) is calculated at 20 seconds over Mini Vet SCT.
Titles You Can Earn
International Biathlon has its own title track, separate from regular Standard and Jumpers titles. Biathlon Qs must be earned under at least 2 different judges:
- IBDC (International Biathlon Dog of Canada) — 3 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Bronze — 6 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Silver — 12 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Gold — 25 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Platinum — 50 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Platinum 2 — 100 Biathlon Qs
- EXIB Platinum 3 — 150 Biathlon Qs
For Versatility Awards, Biathlon Qs count toward the Games total.
Transferring Previous Challenge Qualifiers
If you had Challenge qualifiers before Biathlon launched, they transfer at a 2:1 ratio. For every 2 Challenge Qs, you get 1 International Biathlon Q. So 25 Challenge Qs becomes 12 Biathlon Qs, earning you IBDC, EXIB Bronze, and EXIB Silver automatically.
Important Rules for Trial Secretaries
- Biathlon courses may be judged by any Masters-level judge
- The same judge does not need to judge both the Agility and JWW rounds
- If two different judges officiate, the Biathlon Agility judge is the judge of record for the Biathlon Q
- If multiple Biathlon rounds are offered at a trial, the Qs must be earned in the same round
- Both rounds can be run on the same day or split across 2–3 days
- If only one round is offered or entered, only the individual Standard or Jumpers Q is possible — no half-Biathlon Qs
Scoring Example
Let's say a dog runs Biathlon at a trial:
- JWW round: Clean, under SCT → earns a Jumpers Q + contributes to Biathlon
- Agility round: One fault, but Time + Faults is still under SCT → no Standard Q (not clean), but contributes to Biathlon
- Combined result: Both rounds under SCT (T+F) → earns a Biathlon Q
Result: 1 Jumpers Q + 1 Biathlon Q, but no Standard Q. That's the dual-scoring system at work.
Why Clubs Should Offer Biathlon
The International Biathlon adds excitement to your trial weekend. The faster course design, the optional money round, and the multi-Q opportunity make it a draw for competitive handlers. It's also a great way to differentiate your trial from others in your region.
Barkloop handles AAC Biathlon scoring automatically. The dual-qualifying logic, Time + Faults scoring, and Biathlon title tracking are all built in. Enter the results and Barkloop does the rest.