A short while after we returned from Lithuania, Tom Holland expressed the desire to replicate, inasmuch as possible the "whole course of fire".
Hard to do in a one day Match but, with the two day Match that had been planned since late July coming closer in the calendar, it COULD be a possibility. So I sent the "take-off" from the 2015 World's Matches to Tom Wade, sorted out in such a way that he could pull the targets and lanes in the order he wanted from the spreadsheet and design a course.
After some internal dicussions (I am sure), the two Toms agreed on a course of action and from that point on, they ran with the ball in a most magnificent manner!
At first it sounded somewhat implausible. Those of us that went to the 2014 WFTC's in New Zealand, knew how hard it is to shoot 75 or more shots per day to make 150 shots in the two days that most mortals have available as a weekend. But Tom Wade managed to set 13 lanes with 3 targets each lane for a total of 78 targets for each day; two true, consecutive, "Monster Matches".
Connecticut Custom Airguns (CCA) had offered to put forward the 6 prizes for the WFTF Division; after all, we WERE replicating a World's Match Course, but Tom W dissuaded us from the idea and, instead, it was decided that CCA would gift the First Place Prizes for all 7 Classes that would be shot.
Tom W sent us a proposal for the image and the engraving and after having it checked by the manufacturer, we were off and running.
Leo G and I arrived into Long Island on Friday, but Tom W had already finished the setup and we just stayed for a while at the range for lunch. We decided to do some shooting, but the sighting-in range proved to be too windy and gave all sorts of crazy feedback (more on this later).
After a few pellets downrange, we packed it up and checked into the Rodeway Inn at MacArthur Airport.
Next morning found us again at the range, when all the formalities were taken care of, the range was declared hot.
For the first day I was squadded with Larry Bowne, who is always an extremely nice partner to shoot with.
Hard to do in a one day Match but, with the two day Match that had been planned since late July coming closer in the calendar, it COULD be a possibility. So I sent the "take-off" from the 2015 World's Matches to Tom Wade, sorted out in such a way that he could pull the targets and lanes in the order he wanted from the spreadsheet and design a course.
After some internal dicussions (I am sure), the two Toms agreed on a course of action and from that point on, they ran with the ball in a most magnificent manner!
At first it sounded somewhat implausible. Those of us that went to the 2014 WFTC's in New Zealand, knew how hard it is to shoot 75 or more shots per day to make 150 shots in the two days that most mortals have available as a weekend. But Tom Wade managed to set 13 lanes with 3 targets each lane for a total of 78 targets for each day; two true, consecutive, "Monster Matches".
Connecticut Custom Airguns (CCA) had offered to put forward the 6 prizes for the WFTF Division; after all, we WERE replicating a World's Match Course, but Tom W dissuaded us from the idea and, instead, it was decided that CCA would gift the First Place Prizes for all 7 Classes that would be shot.
Tom W sent us a proposal for the image and the engraving and after having it checked by the manufacturer, we were off and running.
Leo G and I arrived into Long Island on Friday, but Tom W had already finished the setup and we just stayed for a while at the range for lunch. We decided to do some shooting, but the sighting-in range proved to be too windy and gave all sorts of crazy feedback (more on this later).
After a few pellets downrange, we packed it up and checked into the Rodeway Inn at MacArthur Airport.
Next morning found us again at the range, when all the formalities were taken care of, the range was declared hot.
For the first day I was squadded with Larry Bowne, who is always an extremely nice partner to shoot with.
Larry is a master with his FWB300, and although he is well aware of the challenge of such a low powered gun in the wind (especially Long Island wind), he always has fun and is always in a good mood.
As usual, the lanes were diverse and imaginantive, most targets were REALLY long, but that added to the challenge.
There are three targets in this lane:
As usual, the lanes were diverse and imaginantive, most targets were REALLY long, but that added to the challenge.
There are three targets in this lane:
Found them?
This is the left target
This is the left target
This is the center target:
And this is the right target ( a 3/4" at 25 yards):
There was more than a 30º spread between the direction of the left to the right target, forcing a complete repositioning of the shooter's body so, not an easy lane.
And most had some sort of "twist" like that. Very interesting and imaginative.
We had wonderful weather on the first day and a little wind. Which did NOT prepare us for what happened the next day.
And most had some sort of "twist" like that. Very interesting and imaginative.
We had wonderful weather on the first day and a little wind. Which did NOT prepare us for what happened the next day.
A fine rain woke up us at dawn, and as the day advanced it came on and off.
When we arrived at the sighting-in range there SEEMED to be no wind, and I adjusted my sight settings accordingly. Some things did not QUITE make a LOT of sense, but I decided to believe in the feedback provided by the sighting in range because for the first time in my life, there was no appreciable wind!
BAD mistake! LOL! I should know better by now.
By the time all the formalities had been disposed of, and as we started the day's Match, we had some more rain.
When we arrived at the sighting-in range there SEEMED to be no wind, and I adjusted my sight settings accordingly. Some things did not QUITE make a LOT of sense, but I decided to believe in the feedback provided by the sighting in range because for the first time in my life, there was no appreciable wind!
BAD mistake! LOL! I should know better by now.
By the time all the formalities had been disposed of, and as we started the day's Match, we had some more rain.
But as the shoot progressed, rain abated and then stopped altogether.
The shoot went on with a few hiccups, but out of 78 target/placement sets, I think Tom W did real good.
Atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, as usual:
The shoot went on with a few hiccups, but out of 78 target/placement sets, I think Tom W did real good.
Atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, as usual:
It was John Eroh's first WFTF Division shoot, and he did quite well.
By the time we were all done, the targets had been pulled, the lane markers removed, and the strings re-wound, the scores were all tallied and Tom Holland arranged all the awards-giving.
Brian V.L places second in Hunter PCP
Bill Day places First in Hunter PCP
And we catch Doreen Day taking pictures of "hubby".
Jim Wilcox places First in Hunter Piston:
Larry Bowne places First in Open Piston
Hans Apelles places First in Unlimited Class
Hector Medina places Second in WFTF Piston
Ray Apelles places First in WFTF Piston
Nathan Thomas places third in WFTF PCP
Leo Gonzalez places second in WFTF PCP
and Paul Cray places First in WFTF PCP
Considering it was almost the same course as the 2015 WFTC's, just in different order and with the "double tap" that characterizes American shoots, I feel happy about the scores.
I also have to point out to the readers that the points spread between classes was not that big and pretty much in line with what we expect from the vast differences between the Divisions and Classes, pointing out to a well laid out and thoughtful course. Nobody came even close to cleaning it; though the Troyer factor COULD point to a not so difficult course, the length of the days, the darkness of the second day, and the very peculiar wind conditions of Long Island played their usual tricks with the shooters.
A VERY enjoyable weekend; surrounded by good friends, Mother Nature and good food. We sorely missed a few good friends that were unable to make it for serious reasons, like Rich Bassett, Art Deuel, Walt Gregory and the two Matts (Brackett and Sawyer), but I am sure we will see them before the season is over.
I hope to finally learn to not pay any attention to the feedback of the sighting-in range, LOL!
A BIG ¡Thank You! to Tom W and Tom H for a great shoot and to Doreen and Fernanda, that came to the rescue of some very hungry airgunners. :-)
We all left the Fireman's Park and Brookhaven Rifle Range thinking about what the 2016 Long Island FT Championships will bring!
If you have the least chance of making it next year, DO!
Keep well and shoot straight.
Héctor Medina
I also have to point out to the readers that the points spread between classes was not that big and pretty much in line with what we expect from the vast differences between the Divisions and Classes, pointing out to a well laid out and thoughtful course. Nobody came even close to cleaning it; though the Troyer factor COULD point to a not so difficult course, the length of the days, the darkness of the second day, and the very peculiar wind conditions of Long Island played their usual tricks with the shooters.
A VERY enjoyable weekend; surrounded by good friends, Mother Nature and good food. We sorely missed a few good friends that were unable to make it for serious reasons, like Rich Bassett, Art Deuel, Walt Gregory and the two Matts (Brackett and Sawyer), but I am sure we will see them before the season is over.
I hope to finally learn to not pay any attention to the feedback of the sighting-in range, LOL!
A BIG ¡Thank You! to Tom W and Tom H for a great shoot and to Doreen and Fernanda, that came to the rescue of some very hungry airgunners. :-)
We all left the Fireman's Park and Brookhaven Rifle Range thinking about what the 2016 Long Island FT Championships will bring!
If you have the least chance of making it next year, DO!
Keep well and shoot straight.
Héctor Medina
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