Last night’s team BBQ provided an excellent chance to not only gobble up lashings of steak but also for the team to spend more time together. The opportunity was taken, given nearly all were present, to award the ‘minion prize’ – an evolution of the teddy bear award from 2007 courtesy of Jackie – for amusing goofs and non-serious blunders. We heard everyone’s confessions of minion-worthy action before deciding the most deserving recipient. I shan’t name the winner here, though it was noted that come the morning, the recipient made extra sure she had the correct rifle with her. I will say no more.
And now for today:
For all the stats-watchers out there, you will no doubt have seen the strong positioning of several of our team in the fullbore championships to date; Tom had to put extra ‘finals’ ammo into the van to ensure we had enough in case we all shot well and made the top 10. The weather greeting us today was much as it has been all this week; a dribbling left wind, clear skies and light just behind the targets. With low wind values required at 600, few were too fussed by the gentle swing to a head wind off the lake that developed into a gentle front fishtail. Luckman held his lead with a 75.11 but across the range there were some big ‘V’ scores coming off elsewhere with Paul Prinsloo, Steve Thomas and Jon Underwood each making 75.14.
Moving back to 1000 yards, the wind was now decidedly coming from the lake to create an interesting fishtail for the first few relays. It wasn’t the hardest wind and largely the mirage matched the flags for a nice true value.
At this point I should mention some of the wildlife upon this range. To the left as you look down toward the targets is an eagle sanctuary, where one can often see eagles riding thermals above the range. If an eagle lands on the range, firing must stop. The other fauna is not so lucky. There are plenty of flies and dragonflies about the range, many rather large. Some years ago, we are told, a girl hit a fly at 1000 yards as it crawled across the target. This year, Calvert surpassed this achievement in his 600 yard shoot. His scorer noticed a dragonfly hovering midway down the range while staring down his scope. DC, employing his best air combat skills, neatly put his shot down the range causing a splatter of bug in mid-air. The target was marked and of course it came up a ‘V’bull.
The 1000-yard shoot unfolded with an easily confusing fishtail coming up range. Jeens lost two, as did Luckman, and Parag dropped just one leaving the three of them each on 6 off. Ensor put in another fine 75 to creep back into contention at 7 off (enough also to win him the long range aggregate) and Underwood made a 72, sitting 8 off to bring 5 Brits into the top 10 final.
With everyone finished at 1000 and the scores all in, a one-hour lunch break was called before the final. A tedious pause but it gave time for Rylands to prepare ammunition for the finalists as well as time for the wind to settle into a steady to medium right-hander. The final eventually got underway with a cautious casting of sighters. For the most part, the wind was read correctly. Jeens somewhat undervalued it, though from his outer sighter was able to get a clear figure on what the wind was on a gust! Rather than plough through the shoot on one setting at speed, most shooters took cautious pauses in their shoots and the final took some time to complete, Luckman being most cautious of all perhaps and finishing last. Early off the firing point was Matthew Pozzebon of Australia who made a 74.5 to win the championship. Ensor crept up the rankings with a 72.6 to finish 6th, and Luckman’s patience paid off with a 74.6 to come second.
In all GB made the following places in the top 25
2nd – Luckman
4th – Patel
6th – Ensor
7th – Jeens
8th – Underwood
19th – Calvert (also 2nd place in world Veteran’s individual to David Tubb)
21st – East
22nd – Rose
25th – Messer
The team were deservedly proud of their showing in the finals and indeed the meeting to date. Back in the wagons we headed home to relax, eat giant ice creams and set up any gear for Friday. Anton was put to work on Jeremy’s rifle, after a cracked stock required some serious surgery – many thanks to the range staff for supplying drills and clamps! All that this correspondent saw was the good Doctor chiselling furiously into the stock with shavings flying wildly. We can only hope it helps Jeremy’s World Championships fortunes!
