A very windy July day greeted the 34 shooters for the penultimate grand prix of the summer season. The course had been set to a fairly easy standard the previous day as we knew the wind would be bad. I was drawn on lane 14 with Wes Knapper. A kneeling lane of about 36 yards and 25 yards up a tree were both cleared and we were on our way. I made a very good start until target 33 which I gave just outside the kill for wind which didn't take any. I then cleared the next 9 targets including more kneelers. Wes unfortunately took a wrong target but was shooting well after a break from competitions.
By now we had climbed the hill and were faced with a very stiff breeze. I gave a 33 yard target outside left edge and it moved about 60mm and missed to the right. The second, longer target was also missed for wind and I soon woke up to how much wind-age was needed! I then hit the next 10 which included some off the plate shots to allow for the strong wind. I was really pleased with this as my hay fever combined with contact lenses meant my eye was watering like mad and even getting a rough focus was difficult never mind accurate range-finding. Another double dink meant I was now 6 down. Luckily, a strong finish with only one long target missed meant I ended up on 33/40.
Wes ended his day on 30 which should've been more but for his wrong target and taking a kneeler, sitting (which he missed anyway). The day was won with a fantastic 36/40 from Jeremy Sayce. This put me on 91.6% and my second 90+ score in a row. I'm really starting to regret those two low 70s at the start of the season.
By now we had climbed the hill and were faced with a very stiff breeze. I gave a 33 yard target outside left edge and it moved about 60mm and missed to the right. The second, longer target was also missed for wind and I soon woke up to how much wind-age was needed! I then hit the next 10 which included some off the plate shots to allow for the strong wind. I was really pleased with this as my hay fever combined with contact lenses meant my eye was watering like mad and even getting a rough focus was difficult never mind accurate range-finding. Another double dink meant I was now 6 down. Luckily, a strong finish with only one long target missed meant I ended up on 33/40.
Wes ended his day on 30 which should've been more but for his wrong target and taking a kneeler, sitting (which he missed anyway). The day was won with a fantastic 36/40 from Jeremy Sayce. This put me on 91.6% and my second 90+ score in a row. I'm really starting to regret those two low 70s at the start of the season.