Day 5 of the Shooting Competition coming up today from the National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux, France…
MEN’S 50M 3 POSITIONS QUALIFICATION DAY
AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES COMPETING:
DANE SAMPSON AND JACK ROSSITER
Competition commences at 9:00am Local (CEST) / 5:00PM AEST!
LEARN A BIT ABOUT THE 50M 3 POSITION EVENT
The 50-metre 3 Positions Men’s discipline, commonly referred to as ‘3P’, epitomises a comprehensive assessment of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude within the realm of shooting sports.
Athletes employ .22 long rifle calibre rifles, a defining feature of this competition, aiming at targets positioned 50 meters away. This gruelling event requires shooters to master three distinct positions: kneeling, prone, and standing, each necessitating diverse skills of stability and focus.
Following 120 shots in the qualification round, the top eight athletes progress to the finals, embarking on a rigorous series of rounds. Beginning with three sets of 5 shots in kneeling and prone positions, they then transition to the most demanding phase – the standing position.
The final showdown intensifies with two additional sets of 5 shots in the standing position, culminating in a decisive sequence of 5 single shots. These final shots determine the medal winners, serving as a testament to the athletes’ resilience, precision, and adaptability in this multifaceted event.
SEE THE START LIST AND FOLLOW RESULTS
WOMEN’S TRAP (SHOTGUN) QUALIFICATION DAY 2 + FINALS
AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES COMPETING:
CATHERINE SKINNER AND PENNY SMITH
Competition commences at 9:00am Local (CEST) / 5:00PM AEST!
Competitors will shoot the remaining 50 targets across two rounds of 25. The Final will be held following today’s qualification, for the top 6 qualifiers, from 3:30pm Local (CEST) / 11:30PM, AEST. Channel 9 has scheduled broadcast for the Women’s Trap final.
SEE THE WOMEN’S START LIST AND FOLLOW RESULTS
James Willett has delivered Australia its highest finish in Men’s Trap Shooting at the Olympics since 2012, with a sixth place finish in the final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.
The 28-year-old scored 19 out of 25 in stage one of the six-man final, with his score not high enough to progress to stage two.
His sixth place is the highest finish by an Australian in the event since Michael Diamond finished fourth in London.
James said that he was happy with his performance, despite challenges with the weather, as he shifts his focus to the next steps in his career.
“It’s been a great couple of years,” he said. “I was happy with how I adapted; I think I’ve done everyone proud and had great support back home too.
“I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead now.”
The final started off strongly for the Mulwala shooter, hitting his first three shots of the final.
James then missed his next three shots, before hitting his next nine to sit in sixth with a score of 12/15 after the first three rounds.
He was unable to recover the ground needed to remain in the final, missing three of his final 10 shots to end with a score of 19/25.
Britain’s Nathan Yales won the gold, ahead of Qi Ying of China and Jean Pierre Brol Cardenas from Guatemala.
Earlier in the day, James qualified for the final in third place with a score of 123/125.
Teammate Mitchell Iles was unable to join him, shooting 122/125 in qualifying before being eliminated in a five person shoot off after missing his fourth target.
Meanwhile qualification in the Women’s Trap Event also began on Tuesday, with Catherine Skinner and Penny Smith flying the Aussie flag.
After 75 shots, Penny sits in third place with a score of 73/75, while Rio gold medallist Catherine finished the day in 17th with a score of 69/75.
Penny said she was happy with her shooting in the high temperatures of Chateauroux.
“I’m really happy with today’s effort in really hot conditions and I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” she said.
The final 50 shots of the Women’s Trap qualification begins at 5pm AEST on Wednesday, with the top six shooters making it through to the final at 11.30pm AEST.
Ben Waterworth – Olympics.com.au
