F-Class World Championships 2023

[AlanF]

Looking at the South African F-Open team, all 8 shooters finished in the top 27 places in the Individuals! Only 3 of ours are amongst them in the top 27. So its going to be down to teamwork and wind coaching if Australia is to get up. Interestingly, both of Australia's wind coaches were inside the top 27. I don't know much about the South African wind coaches Willem du Ploy and Poewa Bassorv. It appears they haven't been shooting in earlier events.

You can do it fellas - just keep that well oiled team machine going!

[BATattack]

Yeah the South Africans are doing well. They were hungry in Canada but because of their export restrictions and availability they actually bought brass, powder, primers and projectiles in Canada and did ground up load development only days before the event!

Keep in mind some of our shooters may have only been using their B gear in the individuals. They were restricted to only being able to take complete rifles (no second spare barrels) after their ammo had already been sent so some were using the ammo from their B barrel in their A barrel or swapping to seperate rifles to get through the individual events.

[Azzopardi]

Considering the conditions, they are doing very well. However, 1 point in front is a good and dangerous position to be in. It now is a battle of attrition with body and mind.

Attached is an analysis of the 2 F-Open front coaches; the dotted line is the 5 ring. For those who don't know, our X is a V and our 6 is a 5. There are 4 shooters with 15 shots each for each coach.

Also attached are the plots for F-Open 700m. Due to the comp is still in progress, I have removed to shooters and coach's names, and the wind/elevation adjustments,, and no, I will not be posting them in the future.

[Azzopardi]

1st 4 700m plots

[Azzopardi]

2nd 4 700m plots

[Ben F]

I would like to take the opportunity to extend my best wishes to all the Australian Team.
Having shot alongside most of you and having been on that stage before, I am taking a keen interest in the results.
Plenty of ability which you all have and a little bit of luck will get you there.
Good luck my friends, 3 out of 3.
Ben F

[jasmay]

As I sit this morning reflecting on the journey to date, the adversity, the struggles, the good times, some very low points in the last 5 years, the team of people we have both current and past, the energy, the outcomes to date, the support staff back home and wives and partners waiting on news each night….. I can’t help but feel, regardless of outcomes, I am already one of the luckiest persons alive to be where I am right now in this moment surrounded by an amazing team that have become like family & supported by an amazing group of people back in Australia.

I wake today knowing this will be one of the most mentally challenging days I’ve encountered in my life, and I know that WE as a team are ready for what lays ahead!!!

Thanks to all who have wished us well, just 360 shots (sorry Azzo, you must have ran out of fingers ll ) to go!!

[bartman007]

Go TEAM!

Make us proud!

You all deserve it.

[John T]

The first shots at 700m are likely to have been fired.

The gimme range.

"We lost 1 or 2 there but we will pick them up at 900m." How often has that been heard at a Team Shoot?

But others might say, "You won't win it at 700 (800), but you can lose it."

Day 1. 700m. AUS 598
SAP 596
USA 589
Day 1 AGG. AUS 1773
SAP 1772
USA 1765

South Africa will be disappointed with Day 1. Australia will be pleased.

I've never been sure about the belief in "momentum" but if it exists, we have it. If our Team were to top South Africa again, by 2 points at 700m, it will take supreme efforts by each of our 11 on the front line to stay PATIENT; no exuberance.

If there be adversity, the only response is still PATIENCE.

[SteveL]

Good luck guys, bring it home again!

[RAVEN]

Results
USA
SA
AUS
GB
NZ
well done Australia
RB

[AlanF]

That's a bummer. Looks like they actually improved to 3 points ahead after 700m then things went bad at 8 and 900m. No doubt they'll be gutted, but by all accounts they did their best and that's all you can ask.

[John T]

Congratulations to
Dennis
Janene
Stuart
Jason
Lowell
Richard
Adrian C.
Rod
Douw
Alister
Darren
Tim
David
Lewis
Adrian S.
Albert.

And to
Rod
Betta
Chris
Brett
Danny
Darren B
Darren C.
Gary
Dennis
Marty K.
Frans
Don
Marty P.
Stephen
Mike.

We are all very proud of you and all who have helped you along this very hard road.

You will also feel that pride, more and more as time passes and hopefully it will displace how you may feel just now.

Very Best Regards,
John Tracey.

[John T]

I would like to congratulate Team USA on an outstanding comeback.

They certainly took care of 700 and of 900.

I wonder if Shiraz or someone played that old recording of Knute Rockne's halftime rocket to Notre Dame.

Great win.

VBR's
John Tracey.

[bartman007]

Congratulations to both F Open and FTR winning Teams.

South Africa proved to be an excellent location for the World Championships, as the wind conditions caught out even the best shooters and coaches.

Team Australia, you can all be very proud of your efforts. Your commitment over the journey was above and beyond what previous teams had to deal with. You should all be very proud!