Note that clickable links to today's ranges, matches and aggregates are provided following the commentary.

Fri 16 Aug 2002

This is the first of what, I hope, will be daily reports on the progress of the Canadian Fullbore Rifle Championships (CFRC) and the F Class World Championship (FCWC). The CFRC will end with the "Governor General's Prize" on Saturday 24th and the "America" International Team Match on the 25th. The FCWC will conclude on Wednesday 28th. We have a large entry for both parts of our meeting this year, with many shooters from outside Canada. I will have more to say about them as the shoot proceeds.

We have a new computer system, a much modified DCRA web site and revised scoring software. I'm not sure I yet understand how all the bits fit together. So, if there is a little delay sometimes, or if some of the reports appear a little garbled, these will not be due entirely to me having had a 'good' evening. The KISS principle is not at work on this at the moment. If you notice things wrong, or wish to suggest improvements, please send these to the DCRA ([email protected]). We will try to resolve them. Would Tony de L especially, please forgive me and be patient!

This is the 120th Annual Prize Meeting of the DCRA. There are not many sporting, or other, events in Canada that can claim such longevity. This is something of which the DCRA, its members and, indeed, the shooting world can take much pleasure. The new events in our programme this year are a recognition of this anniversary. Our next big one will be in 2007, when we will host the World Long Range Championships and the Palma Match.

In Central Canada, this has been a very hot summer, with periods of quite violent weather. We were very fortunate today in that, although it was hot and very humid, the thunderstorms passed us by and we had just a short shower or two in the afternoon. There was a fairly good breeze, varying mostly in direction, for most of the day. I used, for example, some nine minutes or so at 800 metres, with a variation of two or three minutes either side. Quite interesting, but not totally unpredictable either. I heard talk of some 3 minutes being used at 300 metres in early afternoon.

The Sierra 300 metre ISSF Prone Championship was fired today. Results at this time of writing are still being worked out - I hope to bring these to you tomorrow. Also fired today were Black Powder Matches at 200, 300, 500 and 600 yards. Details later.

The first part of the Long Range Challenge was shot in the afternoon, 15 shots at 900 metres, fired twice. The preliminary list seems to show John Brewer, Canton MS, USA, having fired three times! He has a score of 247 (218v29). Of those with the expected two scores, JJ Conway, San Antonio TX, USA, has 167 (150v17) and Clifford Talbot, Fallon NV, USA, 166 (150v16). These are all in F Class. The top TR shooters are Raymond Gross, Midland MI, USA, with 145v10 and Bob Pitcairn, Chilliwack BC, Canada, with 144v6. The second part of the Challenge is on Saturday afternoon, with two further shoots at 900 metres.

Also underway today is the Canadian 223/556 Championship, with 15 shots fired at 300 and 800 metres. In the TR group, Stan Frost, Saskatoon SK, Canada, has 146v10, leading Gary Bowman, Mississauga ON, Canada, 143v14. In the F Class, Jim Thompson, Whitevale ON, Canada, with 166 (148v18) leads Richard Willander, MA, USA, 164 (146v18). Further stages of this match are fired tomorrow and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The main event of the day was the Ottawa Regiment, 15 shots at 800 metres. In the TR Classes, Geoff Woodman, New Harbour NF, Canada, was the outright winner with 75.10, just ahead of William Hammers, W Bloomfield MI, USA, 75.9. There were only 12 75s, reflecting the variable wind conditions and the fading light in the evening. In the F Class, Richard Vesy, Boardman OH, USA, Captain of the USA F Class Team, and Keith Cunningham, Burnt River ON, Canada, Captain of the Canadian F Class Team, are tied with 88. This is an appropriate start to the international rivalry to come over the next couple of weeks. There were seven scores of 87.

Forecast for tomorrow is for a slightly cooler, but breezy day. Shooting at 900 metres should be interesting.

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