Last year three UK shooters competed in the Euskadi Open in Zumarraga in the Basque Country. This year the number was up to ten and there were some big hitters amongst us. Shooting PCP there was Andy Calpin, John Costello, Rob Farnworth, Karl Clarke, Roy Boliver and Phil Gee. Shooting piston there was Nick Murphy, Val Szulc, Greg Ralph and me.
Nine of us arrived, with only minor hiccups, in Bilbao via Stansted; Val had taken the ferry from Portsmouth and was including the shoot as part of a fortnight's holiday.
The Basque Country and the Basque people are unique. Throughout our short stay the hospitality we received was fantastic and we all would like to extend many thanks to all those involved. In particular thanks to Jesus who worked tirelessly to help us and make sure all our needs were met. To Unai who didn't shoot but was there to drive us to and from the airport and from the hotel to the shoot. To Jose and his wife Ahintzane who also did not shoot to ensure the smooth running of the competition.
The shoot was so much more than an FT comp, it was about people coming from afar to share their common interest and to relax and enjoy. The event started with a four course meal in a Caserio, a traditional Basque restaurant, and thankfully there was a siesta to allow digestion before the shooting began around 5 pm.
In Euskadi the piston air rifle has a big following and there were enough entrants to make two vibrant competitions. On the Saturday the piston shooters shot the black course of 50 targets and the PCPs the yellow and this was reversed on the Sunday.After the first round Nick Murphy held a lead of 2 after posting a 43 with his pro-sport and Andy Calpin tied for the lead with Spanish shooter Pepone both on 48. The UK shooters massed at the top of the PCP ranks, Rob and Karl scored 46 as did Andras from Hungary, and one behind these was John Costello on 45.
After completion of the first day the UK shooters found themselves drinking beer and sampling chorizo, jamón cerrano, sea food, almonds and qeso. It was an excellent end to the day and probably didn't finish until well into Sunday.
On the Sunday the pairings are aligned by scores which meant Andy Calpin would partner Pepone who had twice won the Euskadi Open and had been top continental shooter at last year's Euros. With 3 lanes to go Pepone was two ahead but then they came to a tricky standing lane of which both targets were elevated. Those shooters adjacent to the pair stopped to watch as Andy dropped a high 40+ yarder and then polished off its closer mate. Scores level Pepone needed one of the standers; he missed the first, the tension rose, he missed the second and they were level. The final 4 targets all fell for both so a shoot-off would be needed to separate them.
In the piston class Nick was not having it all his own way either; he had started the day two ahead of his partner Joaquin and their scoring was matched throughout the round. Nick eventually finished on an impressive 46 and won the piston crown by three targets.
There were to be three shoot-offs. The first between me and Val to decide 4th place in the piston class caused quite a laugh. Val had been first to shoot and after he missed he advised me to sit forward as there was grass in the way of the target which was positioned downhill. Now Val is a good six inches taller than me and when I sat I couldn't even see the top of the target! After a chorus of laughter the firing line was repositioned and Val shot again but without success, I was lucky to knock it over and took 4th. Afterwards Val realised that his last target on the course had been a 10 yard reducer, after shooting it he had not reset his turret so in the shoot-off he was a turn out; unlucky Val.
Next up was between John and Andras for 3rd in PCP. Both shooters knocked over the target when seated but only John managed it kneeling. So the scene moved to Andy and Pepone; no surprise that they both knocked it down seated but a miss from Andy when kneeling opened the door for Pepone. The crowd were silent and the tension palpable; he missed. Kneeling again and Andy bagged it this time, unfortunately Pepone could not and Andy was the champion.It is traditional that the winners of sporting events in the Basque Country receive Txapelas, Basque berets. It was great to see these adorn the heads of English shooters. Well done to Nick, Andy and John.
As the prize ceremony came to an end Val's wife Karen delivered a thank you speech on our behalf in Spanish to which she received great applause. It was then time for a quick shower before the final meal of ham and bread, tuna and prawn salad, deep fried sea food, lamb shank with fries followed by gateaux and ice cream. Drinks were flowing freely including Basque cider which the pouring of from an oak barrel is quite tricky and much practise was needed; there were plenty of volunteers! Too quickly four of us had to leave and thanks to Jesus and Unai the transit through Bilbao was very easy.
Muchos gracias amigos - hasta el próximo año!GP6 at Castle - 11th July 2010
The World Cup final and my need to BBQ meant that I would shoot my first morning GP for a couple of years. I thought I might benefit from the kinder wind that is normally found in the am session!! Advice for future shoots - anyone searching for less wind look for my name and choose the other session.
I always enjoy shooting at Castle, it is extensive woodland that is enjoyable to be in and I knew that Mr Page would provide a testing course. I met Steve before the event and he was pleased with the offering but hoping that too much wind wouldn't spoil the day.
We kicked off just after 9am and although the wind was changeable and occasionally gusting it didn't prove too bad. I'm sure that we all lost targets to the wind. However, I lost more to pellets staying straight. The top morning score was shared between Andrew Gillott and Ian Taylor who posted a pair of 47s. Afterwards Andy said that he didn't think 47 would be enough and thought the course could be cleared - wise words Mr Gillott. And so it followed, the afternoon conditions were slightly kinder but it was still a mammoth effort from John Costello Jnr to clear the course. In fact all of the visitors to Euskadi enjoyed a good day's shooting so perhaps more people should visit next year! Two more AA shooters joined the morning pair on 47, Mark Bassett and Steve page, and it was Andrew and Mark who took trophies in the shootoff. After 6 rounds John now has a healthy lead in the overall competition.
In A grade there was a maiden win for Justin Wood, Neil Hague and John Callaghan completed the podium. In B it was another victory for Mark Brewitt and trophies for Kevin Cresswell and my partner on the day Chris Lee. Jacob and Jukes continued their dominance of C grade, both scored 39 to win from Castle's Paul Holland on 35. Paul James made it 2 wins from 2 starts in securing the piston class with an excellent 43; he was pushed close though by Karl Clarke who scored 42. Nick Murphy's third place gives him a 6 point lead in the overall standings. In SFT it was another good day for Steve Lannyman and Ian Harford who, as at Anston, tied for first on 36.
And finally a big up to Mr Andy Calpin who showed his respect for the Euskadi Field Target Association by competing today wearing his victory txapela.
Next event is at East Devon which is a first for me. It is also GP7 so shooters will be hoping to replace their lowest point score. See you there!GP7 at East Devon - 25th July 2010
I think that this was the first GP at East Devon and I hope it's not the last. Chris Jones and his team had set out an excellent course in wind friendly woodland. The big story from the morning round was that John Costello Jnr was continuing his run of hits that unfortunately ended on his 42nd of the day; 91 on the trot! John managed to drop another and he was joined on two down by Dave Schofield and Rob Farnworth. In the afternoon the wind did get a little stronger and it was hard to judge in such dense woodland. One guy who managed was James Osborne; he matched the morning's best score so a shoot-off was needed to decide the top gun of the day. And James was successful in, surprisingly, notching his first GP win of 2010. John's share of first place means that with two GP to go he cannot be beaten; well done John!
In A grade Robert Walker of ETL scored 47 to win by two targets and he now tops the A grade standings. Tied for second place was Alec Gibbs and James Griffiths who is also now second overall.
Another grade that is sewn up is B grade, Mark Brewitt added his forth win of the season and now has amassed an incredible 296 points. The other trophies went to Derek Bendon and Chris Lee who both scored tied Mark's score of 40.
C grade was won with an obscene score of 43! Its owner, Peter Jacobs, won by 9 shots from Paul O'Hanlon who is perhaps the most handsome shooter on the circuit. Dean Jukes came in third and still holds on to the overall lead. It looks like being an exciting finish to C grade this year.
Another piston class win for Nick Murphy but Rob Long's tie for second means that the title is still up for grabs. Congratulations to Karl Clarke who has had four outings with a springer and on each occasion taken a trophy.
In SFT leader Jim Nee took a break and shot FT, we also enjoyed a pint in the Keepers Cottage afterwards. Steve Lannyman made it five wins from five; he was followed home by Richard Baker and Ian Harford.
It was an excellent day's shooting. I'm not sure about the morning round but the afternoon passed without a whistle. Many thanks to Chris and the East Devon crew and I hope we are there again next year.