2023 Nelson Championship results
Nelson Championship Report,
The Kaituna crew headed down in force on Friday to set up the Westport range for the annual Nelson champs fixture, the weather deteriorated as we headed down but managed to hold on long enough for us to get the range ready and dressed for commencement on Saturday. Friday night was a mixture of heavy down pours, with the odd belt of lightning and thunder for good measure.
Our fingers and toes were crossed for a fine Saturday and we were well rewarded with a stunning clear morning. Twenty four competitors entered and the fun commenced. A slightly changed format this year with a double three to start and light but somewhat tricky conditions. We then moved back to 500 where the sea breeze kicked in and finished the day at 600, Andre Du Toit made the best of it the first day in TR and Murray was leading the charge F-Open.
Sunday morning yet again dawned a fine day with the breeze there to meet us and we kicked off again at 600 yards. Close competition ensued and a couple of tidy 50’s appeared and the B graders were also on form with a string of 49’s. A double 700 followed and the game tightened up in A grade and in the 303 competition with the F Class and other TR grade leaders cementing their places.
In TR Andre Du Toit won the Open and secured the Nelson Belt for the second successive year beating of Chris and Helen by one point respectively. B grade was won by Jason Henry with some consistent shooting across the weekend. Jess Riddle continues to improve and resoundingly took out C grade.
Murray Cook had a great weekend and, although missing his good mate Mike, was a deserved winner in F Open. John Pearce took out FTR, Charlie Ledbrook had an impressive weekend cleaning up FTR Classic. Peter Webster shot some of his best scores to date and took out FPR.
To round it out Jonno and Andre spent the weekend battling it out in the 303 class, both having some great shoots and some not so great and at the end of the 7 ranges only one point separated them with Jonno on top. Great fun!!
A huge thanks to all those who helped make the weekend a success especially Chris who toiled away making sure the E targets behaved themselves and solved problem as they arose. Our treasurer and range officers Dave and Mark and last but not least Bernard and his team from the Westport range for organising the range prep and access for us. Without you we could not host this competition.
Thanks to all who attended and we look for to seeing you all and some new faces there again next year.
Jonno.