QLD Queens

[Craig McGowan]

Quotes this morning from Rod Davies

"If Turrets are bent just use a shifter"

"Because I drop my rifle a lot"


These are lessons we can all learn from a top F Open shooter.

Shooting a 60.2 while holding off the side of the target because he dropped his rifle and bent the wind turret.

[AlanF]

Craig,

Why isn't your 1000yd score up? (along with several in every class).

Alan

[Craig McGowan]

Dam, you found out....

Decided since I was using borrowed gear, and that I was 15 shots behind, it would not be nice to get it soaking wet.

So I sat back and enjoyed watching the shooting and reporting on it.

[AlanF]

Aha. That solves that mystery. Anyway, I hope you all dry off and have an enjoyable presentation.

Well done to the sole Vic in FO Mike Waites, another No 2 badge in a very strong field.

And also the winners of the other classes.

[Brad Y]

Indeed, onya bartman- great shooting! You might have to head west and knock over us easybeats if you want a queens badge!

[bartman007]

Hi all,

Well that was a great return to Belmont. I haven't been here since around 1995, but the key difference I found is that the range has just got even better than it was back then. A real credit to the QRA management team and its members!!!

Great competition and friendship on the range. A great week off work

Looking forward to getting back here again next year! Watch out, I've had a taste of the wind conditions now!

Matt, as you now know, It is all about the centre count.

Cheers.

[RDavies]

Well another Queens done and dusted and I will remember this one for quite a while.
My gear worked flawlessly and I was lucky enough not to get caught in the worst of the worst conditions.
The winds varied from easy to shocking and everything in between. Some unlucky people got caught in too many really bad conditions which pushed them out of contention. Once again, things were very close up the front with any one of many people able to take the lead at the last range. Cameron/Julie McEwan, Mike Waites and Matt Paroz were going very well in the longs and results could have been different if the program had not been cut short. Michael Singleton and Tim Nugent were also consistent and ready to pounce not far from the lead as well.
It was great to see the F Open numbers up to 37 this time, things are certainly looking up.
On the F/TR front, big Mark Fairburn had an awesome run, not too many points back from F Open
Congratulations to George Constantinou for winning his first Queens to take the F std A grade win.
Congratulations also to Helen Griffiths for winning target rifle A Grade.

[DaveMc]

Great work Rod (and all other winners).

[AlanF]

I know Marty is not one to make excuses, but I reckon his scores indicate some sort of equipment or load tuning problem? Did anyone get the low down on that?

[RAVEN]

Congratulations Rocket
Mark & George
very exiting watching the score board as they were posted
Close Mike (Mexican does good in banana land)

Did give Marty (the Hammer Lobert) a pep talk maybe the red undies have worn out
Great field and any number of ppl would be capable of winning alway takes a little luck most times IMO
and this level of competition will only make the Aussie FO shooters better.

Cheers
RB

[RDavies]

I know Marty is not one to make excuses, but I reckon his scores indicate some sort of equipment or load tuning problem? Did anyone get the low down on that?

You are right about Marty. He said his gear is going great, but his head just wasn't in it. A few of us hit flat spots after returning from USA when we just didn't want to compete and shooting was just going through the motions, Marty is having a break from the serious side at the moment. This time Marty was just enjoying himself, catching up with all the other shooters and enjoying the scene. Next time when he has had a break, he will no doubt be at full throttle showing us how it is done again. He has fooled no one.

[Steve N]

Congratulations to the F Class winners Rod, Mark and George for outstanding efforts and also to Elizabeth Wilson who finished with a great 59.4 in the rain at the 1000 to win F Std B. The round of applause she received being one of the last shooters was great to see and well deserved.
The organisers ran a great event (and made some difficult decisions) and kept things going very smoothly. My first Queens, first big F Open comp and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.
Steve.

[DenisA]

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone that participated too. The forecast was unpleasant and still the turn out was sensational with 37 Open shooters and I think approximately 100 F-class total.
The skill levels getting insane. At 500 on day 2 the first 21 scores were all in the 60's. 60.7 bought 6th place and Craig shot that incredible 60.10, a feat that many haven't achieved yet.
The thing I love about this kind of event is that as an ameteur shooter, you get to meet, shoot along side and talk to the best shooters in Aus and you get see the development of the up and coming top shooters such as Craig McGowan, Dave Goldberg, etc.
The F-class and fullbore community has some great characters. This year was the first time that I've met Michael W, Matt P, Marty L and Rod D. All champion shooters and champion blokes. They're all keen as mustard to lend advice and share experience.

It's a shame ShooterMcreid (Josh) and Brent N weren't able to make it, they're awesome to watch compete and develop, great guys and I believe they'll be giving everyone a hard time when they come across to Open.

It was pleasure catching up with everyone and apologies to those that I didn't get to say good bye to.

[johnk]

Re the enforcement of the phones & other such electronic equipment on the range, I responded to shooter complaining that their scorers were texting/Facebooking/buggarising around when they should be giving attention to the scoring. Sorry, Tony, I could have given you dispensation had you asked.

[macguru]

If people would just turn them off before shooting and back on after scoring that would do the trick. There is enough to think about without getting a call when you are in the middle of a string.... and taking a call when scoring is pretty rude ! (not that i saw anyone do it )