The 2023 Fly Shoot National have been run and won. The legendary conditions of Little River/Eagle Park of were beyond many entrants expectations.
Friday, set up day, was windy, mild and dry, allowing shooters to get their gear set up.
Come Saturday and the 500mLG, the wind swung around to the south, the temperature dropped and gusting showers came through at intervals. A couple of "59" targets were shot on B Targets and it would have been reasonable to thing they'd be hard to beat. Not so, Eli Groves bettered them with 60.02, 0.543" on his D target to set a new range record for score and a new national record for group. Matty Riches from Batemans Bay took out the event scoring 256.06
Sunday for 500m HG, the wind was equally as strong, stayed in the south and it was bitingly cold as the temperature dropped further. The showers continued. The scores were only margainly lower with Peter Cross also from Batemans Bay taking it out scoring 241.03. It was great to see two competitors from a range that isn't know for such cold and windy conditions, take out both 500m events.
Monday, 200yd RF, and the windy conditions prevailed, some sun pocked through and the showers held off. The high scores seen at recent registered matches weren't occurring but there were still some pretty consistent scores as shooters tried to keep all 5 shots in the scoring rings. Ralph Garlick prevailed, scoring 220.00
On behalf of Melbourne Benchrest Club, thank you to all attended and helped to make it a memorable and successful event.
The complete results are in the attached pdf file.
Click on the summary below to enlarge it.
Nick, thanks so much to yourself, PVM and the other volunteers from the MBC that ran a fantastic Nationals in trying conditions.
The shooters might have had to deal with the wind, but the target crew had to deal with being out in the rain while they did their job, and the scorers had to carefully handle wet targets while doing theirs.
Little River didn’t disappoint with conditions, but it could have been much worse! Eli didn’t seem to notice with that amazing group. The facilities are awesome and the staff at the range were so happy to help and the system for lunch orders was great!
I certainly don’t regret packing so many jackets though, at one point I was wearing one over the top of another and I am from Canberra where it can get cold, I didn’t envy those for the North and West having to endure the cold. But, I had a great time and will be back again.
Congratulations to the winners and placegetters and most of all, congratulations to the MBC for a great event.
Cheers,
Dave
I like spin stabilised things.
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