OzFclass

John,

Yes, Dave Mac being the humble type will deny it, but his was the star performance in the F-Open team. And another major reason for our success was that (as far as I am aware) there were no stuff-ups by anyone! No wrong targets, no premature releases, no winding the wrong way, no barrel fouling or other equipment failure. Stuff-ups not only lose multiple points, they play on your mind. Everyone, including non-shooting or coaching helpers had their minds fully focussed. This team was an absolute pleasure to work in.

I also want to mention the success of the innovative coaching technology developed by Peter Smith, Dave Stewart and Dave Mac. Initially I had fears that it was too complex and vulnerable to failure, but I needn't have feared - it worked well.

Alan

john,
while dave has legend status in Australian fclass, you seem to miss the point of teams.
I have never met dave, but my respect for him has grown immensely of recent times..
why that team won was because dave said "there is no I in team".
it was the whole team that won, not one person.
every member pulled as hard as they possibly could.
when a team loses this, it loses.
burn me at the stake if you wish, but I think dave might agree with what I said.
keep safe,
bruce.

Bruce, I agree 100%.

I said this in my bio but say it again. To me team shooting is the pinnacle of the sport. I love seeing the enjoyment of others as they achieve something huge. Sharing this with a team is the best feeling in the world. It is what drives me.

Indeed there can be no I in team.
We functioned as a team with everyone contributing equally. Everyone did their job perfectly. It is THE reason we won.

It started with seamless communication between the wind coaches, tied together by brilliant master coaching by Richard. I also would say that each and every shooter stepped up to the plate with a determination I have not seen before. Everyone shot better than they did in the individuals. Everyone in the team were true team shooters. Spotters were made available quickly and we used them regularly and worked off each other beautifully. The alternates as well -everyone was shooting so brilliantly it was impossible to pick but when the team was announced Zerbe and John got stuck in and helped wherever they were required and were a huge, pivotal part as well.

It was fluid in motion.

Peter Smith and Dave Stewart had the foresight to see how this would all meld together and everyone played their role.

We came up against an "unbeatable" team. For every good shooter we had, they had 5. For every outstanding rifle, they had better. They had the best wind coaches in the world on a huge homeground advantage. There is only one way we beat them. Pure harmony as a team! I was so proud to be a part of it.

Well said Dave. We've all been part of something very special.

I won't be going to the next one (Canada 2017), but would urge anyone with thoughts of doing so to start laying the groundwork now. This 2013 team has raised the bar in terms of team operation. But the bar will be even higher as the other nations attempt to lift their performances to counter this upstart new team from down under. I would thoroughly recommend the experience to any passionate F-Class shooter, but whatever you do, don't look upon it as a holiday- its a serious mission with a formidable workload.

Alan

Great post Dave

Our Australian Team has given us a perfect demonstration of what team shooting is all about.

John

I am curious as to whether "the team" is all shot out for a few weeks, or if you are all mad keen and ready and rearing to shoot some more ? Any or many of you going to NSW Queens, for example ? Club shooting as normal next weekend ? As per Alans post, it was obviously mentally and physically taxing and would certainly have been no holiday , accompanied by what I can imagine as one of the greatest high's of your lives when the team F Open team won gold..........you may all need counselling ......or is the competetive spirit stronger than the need for a few days off ? I would love to ascertain the degree of your addiction !
Tony

Mad Dog was on Belmont Saturday afternoon a handful of hours after he returned, shooting.

Tony,

I got off a 15 hour flight from LA on Saturday at 6.30am, Saturday afternoon I went to see what was going on at North Sydney RC at Hornsby, couldn't stay away.

Didn't shoot on Saturday because I had nothing loaded, but I'm considering what to shoot at my local (NSW) Queens next week.

Tony, it is an interesting question but I suspect you will get a full spectrum of answers. For each individual there will be a different response. For me it is now family time for a while. I will attend the odd club shoot, prize meeting and possibly a queens or two (certainly the Tassie teams match!!)but I won't put the same effort in as I have over last couple of years. I owe it to my family (and myself) to divert my efforts that way. They supported me through this (including my obsessive nature) but it is their turn now.

In saying this I believe the job is not over. I urge all team members to pay their club dues. Part of the responsibility of representing our country is also to fly the banner on return. To pass on our experiences and enthusiasm.....

Hey Ben,
While considering what to shoot at the NSW Queens(in light of your recent experience)may I suggest that old open sight 22.
Just to give the rest of us a chance

Hey Tony. Still keen to shoot mate. I reckon the 7mm barrels might get a rest though. Got 6mm barrels that need some rounds to clear the cob webs.
Stayed on a ranch in Colorado for a couple of days. The owner Charlie is a mad keen shooter. He and his mate shoot game at extreme distance, like 2000 yards. He was very kind to us and let us take a 50 BMG Barrett and AR15 to one of his many ranges. We had a ball.
See you when we get back.

Cheers
Cam

Tim,

My rifle barrels accuracy both 284 & 6x47 exceed my condition reading ability as was shown in the individuals.

I have no illusions of grandeur, our success was due to the fantastic coaches and management.

I feel truely priveliged to have been part of the 2013 FCWC team, thanks to all. What a TEAM.

Ben

what makes team shooting so enticing?
I suspect it comes from millions of years of evolution.
for most of this time humans have lived a tribal existence, and this is innate in our psyche.
the ultimate tribal experience is warefare, where your tribe wins. to win, everyone in the tribe must pull their weight totally, and with victory comes a shared jubilation. there is also a a joy in sharing effort in loss.
team shooting comes as close to this as modern times will allow.
it is a way of succumbing to our primeval instincts, and is pleasure.
keep safe,
bruce.

another interesting thing about team shooting.
when the major serotonin release is over, following the team effort, what happens?
all those who pulled together so selflessly in the common cause revert to trying to crucify their ex team mates in individual competition!
keep safe,
bruce.

Bruce, so spoken with such eloquence and truth.

Cheers
Danny