Game faces on today: the WIFBC started in earnest. The early start meant we had to skip breakfast at the hotel, and instead experimented with the various offers at the supermarket. Results may vary.
Arriving at the range, we attended the opening ceremony, and heard speeches from Thomas Greenaway, ABRA President; Maj John Nelson, President of WIFBC; Brigadier Benjamin, Antigua and Barbuda CDS; Chet Greene, President of Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee; and Aldo McCoy, representing the Minister of Sport. The Championships were declared open and flags were raised, then Pastor Olson Daniel offered prayers to Tom Rylands in his current condition. He concluded by providing a tribute to those no longer with us, including EXX Vice President Robin Pizer.
Shooting commenced at 300 yards, in a firm steady breeze. Ali encountered a problem with his rearsight attachment, resolved by the armourer with some creative maintenance and borrowed screws from Chris. England capitalised on the conditions and generally scored highly, with possibles from Felix, Kit, both Eds, and Matty.
After an informal lunch, we fell back to 500 yards in increasingly hot sun. No fewer than three targets came apart (whether due to heat, wind, or precision fire is unknown) leading to extensive reshuffling of squadding. Moose commenced his shoot three times, and your diarist found himself on the fourth detail of three. Amongst the confusion, it was Rupert’s excellent 75.5 which topped the list.
At 600, in slightly fading light, the same steady square breeze continued. The diarist’s advice of “stick it on 3R and leave it” was followed by Archie for a 49.6, and Ed D disappointingly dropped his last for a 49.0. However Kit’s 50.2 topped an outstanding day for him, finishing at the top of the Grand with 2 off.
We returned to Jolly Beach for dinner, showers, and drinks (the order of which was flexible), and a team meeting over aftersundowners was joined by the local cat.
As it stands, English shooters occupy 14 of the top 15 places in the Grand: an excellent start to the week.
Lollipops awarded: 6
Lollipops to date: 50