Another day, another waffle. Fed and watered, with new arrivals still a little bleary-eyed, the team headed back to the range for the first day of competitions in the British Columbia Rifle Association Target Rifle Championship.
The day’s course of fire consisted of 2 sighting shots and 10 shots to count at 300, 400, 500 and 600 metres. Throughout the day, the wind repeated its previously observed behaviour, rapidly switching through zero, making it very easy to lose points, especially at the longer distances.
Members of GBRT put in some very strong performances across the day. Your diarist won the 300-metre competition, the City of Victoria, with 50.8, David Calvert and James Mehta taking second and third places respectively, both scoring 50.7. GBRT’s Ellie Joseph won the 400-metre competition, the City of New Westminster, with 50.8, David Crispin and Jeremy Tuck taking second and third places, scoring 50.7 and 50.5, respectively.
Canadian shooter, Don Pitcairn, with 50.7, won the City of Vancouver competition, shot at 500 metres. American, Emil Praslick, took second place with 50.6 and GBRT’s David Calvert clinched third place, also with 50.6.
Finally, GBRT’s James Mehta, scoring 50.5, won the 600-metre match, the MacDonald Stewart. The diarist took second place with 49.7 and American, David Littlefield, took third place, with 49.6.
GBRT’s David Crispin also deserves an honourable mention for winning the Lieutenant Governor’s Prize First Stage with 100.13.
After securing wins in three out of the four competitions on the first day, GBRT returned, victorious, to their hotel. Some members of the team chose to dine again at the Jolly Miller, whilst others turned off the gas and headed for a sushi restaurant. It remains to be seen how Ian Ashworth will perform tomorrow, after the diarist watched him singlehandedly demolish a “combo platter,” usually expected to be shared between two people.
Lollipop awards (Day 3):
Good – the diarist, Ellie Joseph, James Mehta and David Crispin, for their competition wins.
Bad – not awarded (a rare occurrence).
