This Is Guernsey

Darren Burtenshaw had the highest score in all four rounds of the Olympic trap competition. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0431387)

WITH the Natwest Island Games barely a year away, the preparations of the Clay Target Shooting fraternity are well under way.

The second rounds of selection shoots have been held in the Olympic disciplines at the Portinfer range. The selection shoots consist of 100 target competitions, each comprising four separate rounds of 25 targets, the results of which are added to the ranking lists to help the selectors with their decision making processes.

The Olympic trap event was held in perfect conditions, with 11 hopefuls competing. Darren Burtenshaw stamped his mark on the competition from the outset by returning a perfect score of 25 broken targets, two ahead of nearest rivals Dean Wilson and Nick Dewe of Sark.

In the second round Burtenshaw again posted the highest score but Wilson matched him target for target with both scoring 22. Dewe slipped from joint second to third place with a score of 20 which was equalled by veteran shooter Francis Quin.

Thereafter the leader-board was unchanged with Burtenshaw scoring 23 and 24 on the remaining rounds to give an overall score of 94 ex 100 and the honour of the highest score on each round of the competition.

Wilson finished consistently with a further two scores of 22 and an overall score of 89 against 87 of Dewe.

Shane Harley and Ken Laine, who represented the island in automatic ball trap at the 2007 Island Games, finished fifth and sixth with Marlene Place, the current Island Games women’s Olympic trap record holder in eighth.

The Olympic skeet selection shoot was held in less favourable conditions with an increasing wind affecting the targets as the competition progressed.

The event was refereed by International Shooting Sports Federation A level coach, Iain MacGregor, who has been visiting the island from Scotland to provide dedicated coaching to potential Island Games and Commonwealth Games contenders.

The five competitors started consistently with each of Noel Duquemin, Vince Helmot and James Rouget scoring 21 ex 25 in the first round.

In round two, Duquemin again scored 21 to edge into the lead ahead of Helmot, who returned 19.

A poor station three in the second round dropped Rouget into joint third with Graeme Corbin.

Duquemin retained the lead with a fine 23 and not quite so fine 18 to finish on 83 ex 100, five points ahead of Helmot who was in turn two points ahead of Corbin.

Sue Fish, who is a relative newcomer to Olympic skeet, finished fifth and, like the other competitors, is clearly benefiting from the coaching sessions.

Article posted on 10th July, 2008 - 2.29pm