The last day of shooting, but still more work to do this morning! The Commonwealth Match at long range, three targets and twelve shooters. The Canadians not to be underestimated can still put up a fight so Chris warned against complacency and got the team focussed for the 800m distance. GB picking up where they left off yesterday managed to go clean all twelve shooters. But with Canada snapping at our heels they were only only 2 points off and up on vees this was a close match. 

Moving back to 900m (1000y) GB started off ok but had a small wobble dropping a few points early on which at one point saw us level or even one behind Canada. The wind had risen and was now moving from the left with occasional right mirage. The Captain nervously watching from behind the point willing the shots into the bull. After a number of stops and sighters out of turn GB picked up their performance and closed out strongly eventually finishing 9 points ahead of Canada. A great close match, Angus top scoring with 100.13

A mightily relived captain managed may have to charge his laundry bill back to the team after a nerve wracking final range.

Changing back to individual mode for this afternoon for the Governor General final a number of the team are carrying through 149’s and 150’s so all to play for. 

The wind conditions from this morning did not continue with the same aggression however lack of attention paid to the mirage meant it would be easy to loose points. A strong start for many with 75’s at the first distance meant 7 of the field were still clean going into the final distance 900m. 

Taking things down to the wire at 900m Nigel dropped his last to finish 1 off, Chloe also slipped one point away but with the highest vee’s finished fourth. Ian Shaw though held his nerve to finish with a superb 300.36, again pipping Kent Reeve on vee bulls to take the Governor Generals prize to go with his win in the Grand Aggregate. 

The GB team braced themselves for the second chair carry of the tour to go with Angus’ win in BC. 

A swift and organised prizegiving conducted by Don Hazell of the DCRA released the GB team for the last night dinner at Moxies. A great dinner had by all, a lot of laughs and remeniscing about the ups and downs and funny moments continuing long into the evening with the celebrations of the Team wins and Ian’s triumph. Enough said about that for now. Tomorrow we fly home post script to follow en route.

1st Ian Shaw – 300.36
2nd Kent Reeve – 300.33
3rd Des Vamplew – 300.33
(on countback)
4th Chloe Evans 299.41

GB 1190.125

Canada 1181.134

Commonwealth Match Scores
The Commonwealth Match is scheduled to start at 09.00 local time (14:00 UK time)

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The team managed a leisurely start this morning with most of us on the 3rd relay for the Gatineau, the last competition in the Grand Aggregate where the top 50 shooters are squadded on the same relay.  Going in Ian has a 7 vee lead over Kent Reeve.  The conditions were not easy with a light but changeable breeze from the left causing some agonising over wind calls. Ian dropped a shot early on to go behind but as the two leaders approached the finishing line Kent Reeve also dropped his 14th to count to drop back to the same points tally. Ian emerging victorious dropping only 2 points across the whole of the Grand agg. Congratulations and a well deserved winner. 

After the excitement of the morning we reassembled at GB team HQ to get into team match mode for this afternoon. The Canada match which is the Short Range international match commences at 300x. GBRT collectively focussed and put in an exceptional effort to kick things off going clean at 300, Canada just 2 points behind. Continuing at 500x GB again managed a strong showing with just 2 points dropped Sandy just loosing 2 but with the rest of the team going clean our lead was extended further. At 600x Captain Chris gave a final team talk and focussed the minds for the last distance. Minds suitable focussed the team raised their game yet again to go clean and put in the 3rd highest score in the Canada match of 1198.158 finishing 10 points clear of Canada who finished with 1188.14

This evening most of the team head to Crazy Horse for supper but the Captain and the winner of the Grand are off to the Chateau Laurier to the MacDonald Stewart dinner where Ian will be presented with his Grand Agg winners medal. 

With the Commonwealth match in the morning and the Governor Generals final to look forward to most headed to bed as early as possible.

GB 1198.158

Canada 1188.141

Detailed scores

Canada Match Scores
The Canada Match is scheduled to start at 12.30 local time (17.30 UK time)

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This morning sees the last two ranges of the Grand Agg before the Gatineau tomorrow morning. The short range comps which make up the Gibson at 300x and 600x were also to be counted towards the qualifier for the Governor Generals final. 

At 300x a stiff breeze form the front managed to keep the shooters honest but nevertheless holding  tight elevations would still enable a 50 but not with the highest vee counts. At 600x the Wind was considerably more tricky to read with swift angle changes catching out many people, quick changes from zero to 2.5 minutes Left changing fast. Points were dropped by a number of people but the team managed to get 15 of our number through to the Governor Generals Final to be shot on Saturday.  Jon Underwood took the Gibson with 149.17

In the Afternoon we took part in the Outlander match but sadly with no other teams entered it was GBRT vs GBRT as we put in two teams. The conditions had become increasingly testing through the lunch period and a strong left to right wind varying angle and all mostly read from the mirage there was some fun for the coaches. At 900m there was some tough calls and with the coaches having to call on all their experience. This was not helped when Dave, called on to shoot a sighter out of turn, when instructed duly put 5 minutes of right wind on his gun rather than left wind and Angus watching down the scope saw his shot sail into the gap between the targets rather than into the bullseye. At the end of the 900m distance the official team led by 8 points. At 600yards fighting back strong the honours only GB team clawed back 6 points to only loose by 2. This was a good work out for the team in advance of the Canada and Commonwealth matches to come on Friday and Saturday. 

Going into the Final range of the Grand Agg – Ian Shaw is leading by 7 vees over Kent Reeve of the USA with Nigel, Angus Jon and Chloe all still in the top 10. 

Nigel Ball also won the Allcomers Agg today with 500.71, 10 vees clear of Kent Reeve.

After yesterdays lack of shooting the team were keen to get back out there and stuck in. an early start with shooting at 0800. Today we will complete the Presidents match (the Canadian  version of Queens 2) and the first range of the Gibson match which has been moved to 900m to make up for missing the Alexander of Tunis yesterday. As we are missing the Letson (Queens 1) from yesterday the qualifier for the final will comprise the short range shoots in the Gibson which we will complete tomorrow.  All a bit confusing but we will report back on the results in due course.

The morning at 300x and 500x was met with light winds from the left but with a turning angle to keep us on our toes. Despite the flicking wind there were again a large array of 50’s scored at the shorter ranges. 

An early lunch before commencing the afternoon programme at 900x in much more testing conditions. The wind blowing from 7 to 9 minutes with the occasional quick turn in angle leaving the unwary flying out to the left of the target. This long range shoot definitely managed to shake up the leaderboard on the grand with most of the team managing 47 or 48 with a couple of us on 49. Ian Shaw leading the way though with one of only 2 50’s on the range. A return to the 600x for the last range of the Presidents still saw some tricky conditions with and angling breeze from the front left corner of the range. 8 of the team managed to finish with a 150 in the Presidents John Deane managed to top the tree with 150.24, Chloe and Nigel close behind with 22 vees

Following the completion of the last detail there was the small matter of the tie shoots for the Col John Brick and the Norman Beckett. The first of these involving Jon Underwood and Chris Mitchell up against James Cook from the Army team. Jon managing to take the tie with 24.2.

In the second tie shoot Jon Underwood was up against Alwyn McLean and in a tight tie shoot at 800m Alwyn just edged it with Jon dropping a point when the flags turning towards. 

Confirmation on a few trophies and the Grand.

Grand Agg – Ian Shaw leads having not dropped a point, with Kent Reeve one back and Angus McLeod 2 off

Col. John Brick – 1st Jon Underwood, 2nd Chris Mitchell

Gzowski Agg – Ian Shaw

Gil Boa Agg – Ian Shaw tied with John Deane

The Harrison Agg (u25) – Chloe Evans

Victoria Rifles – Surrey RA Blue (Shaw, Rose, Evans, Underwood)

From Tuesday Agg’s

The Klondike Agg – Jon Underwood

This evening we hosted our fellow competitors for the GB Team reception. Thanks to Tom R for his sterling efforts on the food front and to Ian for Pimms and Gin prep. Much fun was had by all and a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new.