Today was our final chance to practice as a team before the big match tomorrow. The team was selected last night and announced internally, with our formal team announcement today. We knew our target teams, and everything that we have been working towards since squad selection in 2020 is another step closer.
As a team we had decided to head to the range for a shoot at 700m, to ensure we have all the rifles zeros, that all settings were sorted, and that we were back into team match drills after several days of individual shooting. For the non shooters, a match set up is quite different from individual shooting; as an individual, you are shooting, wind reading and plotting yourself, generally shooting with two other people on a target with you, and you have a fixed time from the previous firer’s shot until you have to fire. In a team match, the team has a fixed time limit within which they have to fire the right number of shots, but you can use the time as you like, waiting or stopping or shooting fast to make the most of the wind conditions. Some people will be shooting, responsible for firing perfect shots each time. Others will be coaching, looking to read the wind and adjust the sight settings to get the shots into the middle of the target. Each target will have a plotter, who captures where the shots are, making sure the group is centered in the vee bull. The match adjutant will be responsible for ensuring everything goes smoothly, addressing problems as/when they occur and being a point of contact for all the logistics. Everyone has their own role to play.
After stretches to get the team mood going (with Nigel’s attempt at dancing lightening the mood), we got ready for our team drill. At 700m, we ran through each target team plus reserves, so four to five firers on each target. The team was back in business – swiftly moving through the shots and everything went to plan. We can only hope the same happens for the next two days.
Having returned to the hotel (slower than planned due to a tortoise sighting) by 10am, we had the chance to relax and ensure we were all set up for tomorrow, with Team Armourer Tom Rylands checking the rifles over, and the ammo team preparing everything we will need for tomorrow. The rest of the day saw us staying in the shade, enjoying time together as a team, and of course benefitting from the expertise of our amazing physio team who worked hard all day to ensure we are in the best state for tomorrow. The evening was spent splitting up into target teams for dinner, checking plot cards and getting excited!
Over the next two days, coverage for the match will be available live for those interested, and we thank Dan Richardson of the BBBBBBC for providing this. Good luck to all the teams competing, including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. So, as we sign off for today and grab an early night before tomorrow’s excitement, there’s nothing left to say except bring it on!
