CAIRNS OPM

[DaveMc]

Despite some heavy rain that caused Mossman to cancel Saturday (350mm). Cairns got away without a hitch. Very good numbers despite the conditions. Some slight drizzle to start the day but then left us alone. Light winds but very hard to see due to no mirage and wet flags stuck to poles. The early 300m range was particularly tricky and if you were unlucky enough to get caught there wasnt much you could do about it unless you were sporting a 6th sense. Somehow the top shooters seem to do it though and a number of 60's were had but there were a few unexpected casualties.

Marty Lobert and Peter Smith dominated the F open again with clean sheets (180.20 ML, 180.16 PS) with Meichelle Knudsen also continuing her fine run following up closely with 179.19 (6 Shooters averaged over 59 and 9 shooters within 5 points with the rest of the field not far behind)

FStandard A was once again won by Richard Butts (also continuing his dominance in the North) with 178.13 but hotly chased by John Oddy (177.11) who had a fine day and yours truly (177.09) both of us sporting FS/FTR rigs.

FTR (shot concurrently) had 20 entries and a great deal of interest. John Oddy took it out (177.11), myself second (177.09) and Jim Blomfield a close 3rd (176.13) with a good x count. All with F standard/FTR rigs. It was a lot of fun and a great challenge to shoot off the pod.

A special mention should go to Gail Christie (FSB) she smashed a 60.9 @ 500 (yes kept her 6 sighter) and a 60.8 (also 8 in a row) at 700 for a 176.20 and I would imagine will be moving back to A grade again. She has got that rig humming.

Bob Kennedy took out TR with a clean sheet (150.13 followed by Trevor Deed with an impressive 149.19)

[bartman007]

Good wrap up Dave.

Great to see a couple of 180's from the NQ boys. And Michelle 1 point behind, good to see you're keeping them honest

[RDavies]

20 entries in FTR, looks like FNQ is leading the way in that area.

With those scores I hope none of the Cairns Rifle club F Open shooters ever decide to move south, or we will be in trouble down here.

[TOM]

What would numbers have been in F/TR without the double dippers from FS?

[bruce moulds]

rod,
do you think they can handle the tougher conditions?
keep safe,
bruce.

[DaveMc]

A hard question Tom and I suspect fairly high still as the prizes for FTR were significantly better than FS but no doubt it would have split things differently and numbers would have been lower. If prizes were similar it would have been an unnecessarily hard choice for many. I am suggesting they don't need to be split though. Having it shot in conjunction detracts in no way from F standard (nor FO). It increases the competition in both. Lets face it -the serious international FTR competitors need to get some competition and a lot of the FS/FTR guys will give them a run for their money. I know I want to shoot both when I pull out my 308 and I would prefer not to have to make the choice!

Rod - I am encouraging a few more of them to do just that - hopefully they don't stay down there like you did though!!

Ahhhh Bruce - the never ending interstate banter! A couple of us are going to try and return the favour of Mackay Queens and get down there for SARA Queens so look forward to the challenge.

[bruce moulds]

the unasked question is, what will be the situation in 5 yrs?
there's a strong possibility that ftr numbers will have the strength to stand alone in comfort.
this is in part due to the efforts of southcape.
it is also due to the mish/mash that std has become, primarily in allowing rests and bipods, and having two allup weights for equipment.
every discipline must start somewhere, and this one seems to be getting off to a stronger start than some.
keep safe,
bruce.