The Target Sprint competition season started with a bang at the weekend, with the first National Series and Super League races being run at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex, kindly hosted by Sedgemoor Target Sprint.
The action-packed race programme on Saturday welcomed athletes regardless of age or experience to get involved.
It was lovely to see our sport being enjoyed by athletes with a mixture of experience levels. For some this was their first race day and for others it was their first chance to put their winter training to the test.
The race programme began with the Super League races, which were run to ISSF Rules, over the smaller 35mm diameter targets. This was the first time this season that athletes had the opportunity to win points towards their Super League Leaderboard standings and to add times to their GB Ranking.
The outstanding performance came from Callum Fricker, who travelled down from the north-west to put in a breath-taking performance of 4 minutes 43 seconds, having just turned 15 years old.
Araminta Stubbs claimed the Junior Women’s Gold and 10 Super League points in the fastest female Super League time of the day, 5 minutes and 21 seconds.
SUPER LEAGUE LEADER BOARD 2020
John Saint, Target Sprint GB Selector and Event Coordinator, said: “The overall improved performances between this year and last is unbelievable.”
The National Series Races followed, which were run over the slightly larger 49.5mm diameter targets, saw many athletes qualify for the National Series Final held on Sunday 2nd August at Bisley.
All the athletes and supporters were able to soak up the welcoming and competitive environment of which some were completely new to the sport.
Father and daughter combination of Steven and Isabelle Cordery were experiencing a target sprint competition for the first time. Both of their beaming smiles summarised their enjoyment of the day, which also saw Steven qualify for the National Final in the Masters class and Isabelle narrowly missing her qualification in the Youth category. But we look forward to seeing them both again throughout the season.
Thank you to the team at the regional centre; Sedgemoor Target Sprint and Yate Outdoor Sports Complex for hosting the wonderful event. We look forward to continuing the competition season in such a fun, welcoming, competitive and professional manner.
Due to Corvid-19, please keep close attention to the British Shooting and Target Sprint websites and social media channels, where we will be sure to keep you updated with any news.
Check out further competitions near you and join the Target Sprint fun!
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