Paggiaro. Uncharacteristically, some highly regarded shooters from the UK and reining World Champion Jose Redondo from Spain, posted unusually low scores - perhaps demonstrating the demanding conditions and difficulty of the courses. South African Piet Breedt clearly didn’t have any problems and finished on a course busting 48 ex 50, two points clear from 2006 World Champ James Osborne on 46 ex 50. I, along with four others shared joint third on 44 ex 50.
Day two, Saturday 3rd September, was extremely humid and hot which made concentration levels quite demanding due to fatigue and dehydration. I made life difficult for myself by missing my first two targets on the green course! Simon Ayers pumped in a top score of the day with 48 ex 50; I managed to only drop one more target and finish on a very pleasing 47 ex 50. Breedt from SA didn’t maintain his rich vein of form from the previous day to post a 42 ex 50. This left myself, Ayers and Osborne in the lead; a three way tie, level on 91 points apiece.
Day three, Sunday 4th was the big finale. The air was very humid and heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon. All eyes were firmly
World Field Target Federation Championships 2011 – Italy – by Conor McFlynn
focused on us and, being honest, in a way, it was both unnerving and exciting - an experience new to me but one that Osborne was all too familiar with. I had the white course left so I was determined and knew I had to post a big score if I were to finish on the podium. I ended the day with my highest score of the weekend – 48 ex 50 and being honest disappointed with my two misses.
Ayers and Osborne had both only posted 44 ex 50 so Breedt needed a 49 to tie for a shoot-off (which I was expecting) or a clear course would see him win outright. To my surprise and disbelief he also finished on 44 ex 50 which meant the silverware was mine and going back home to Co.Tyrone (and Ireland) for the first time. With 11 missed targets during three days of competition I ended with a total score of 139 ex 150.
The Gala Dinner and awards ceremony that marked the end of the 2011 World Championships is an occasion that will live fondly in my memory forever.
One of the large zero ranges with the mountains in a stunningly beautiful backdrop.
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