triple classic report - Clay Shooting USA

54SHOOTREPORTKienbaum 21, Miles 21, Duffy 21,Cherry 21 and Powell 19.Digweed’s 4 target lead into theSuper Final was just too much,finishing on 312. Wendell Cherry(306) battled on regardless to takethe Runner-up spot followed byZach Kienbaum 3rd – 301, GebbenMiles 4th – 298, Andy Duffy 5th –296 and Brandon Powell 6th – 295.In the Ladies Main Event race,Janet McDougall’s 248 was enoughto fight off Anna Jarnald’schallenge (246) with Becky Breamtaking Bronze (241). In Juniors,Theo Ribbs enjoyed a 16 targetcushion over Nathan Batchelorwith Luke Elliott taking Bronze.Ross Neskora (266) took the spoilsin Sub Juniors, ahead of HunterMilligan on 254 and Zach Charbula(249). Veterans went to DanCarlisle (274) ahead of JohnWoolley (268) and the evercheerful Brian DuQuesnay (260).Gonzalo Vargas (241) took the topstep of the podium in SuperVeterans with Larry Farrow (236)hot on his heels in second place. Itwas Ron Shafer’s (233) day inSenior Super Veterans, ahead ofBill Ray (215) and Dan Floeck(203).Prize giving for the Main Eventwas completed by 7pm – but thatwasn’t the end of things for GeorgeDigweed. Kolar had generouslysponsored a much sought afterHigh All Around (out of 550 TripleClassic targets) prize of a KolarMax high ribbed sporter. ThirteenSPONSORS MADE IT ALL POSSIBLENo major sporting championship is possible without sponsorship.As soon as the dates of this year’s event were published, the tradewas quick to commit to the Triple Classic, attracting sponsorshipfrom a wide range of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. Oursincere thanks to you all – especially to those who have alreadysigned up again for 2012.competitors had recorded scoresof 500 and over in the HAA race –outstanding shooting by anyKRIEGHOFF CLASSIC SPORTING WINNERS L TO R: WENDELL CHERRY (2ND),GEORGE DIGWEED (HOA) AND ZACH KIENBAUM (3RD).MICHAEL ALVARADO, ON BEHALF OF JOHN RAMAGLI, PRESENTS GEORGEDIGWEED WITH THE KOLAR MAX SPORTER AND HAA CUP.OPTIXstandards. But Digweed’s HAAtotal of 532/550 was exceptional,13 targets ahead of WendellCherry (519) and a further twotargets ahead of Zach Kienbaum(517). Young Michael Alvarado, a16 year old Kolar sponsoredsporting, trap and bunker shooter,stepped up to the podium on behalfof John Ramagli to present theKolar Max Sporter to Digweed. Heclearly enjoyed the moment – nodoubt evaluating his own chancesof one day emulating the successesof the 19th time World Champion.It was all over! Eight months ofplanning and hard workculminating in a six day Festival ofShooting that had clearly metshooters aspirations. Theentertainment value was clear toall, target presentations and varietywere world class. Shootadministration, utilizing the iClaysregistration and scoring system,was handled by Connie Parker ofShoot Promotions. Together withKitty Haynes and Michelle Milesin registration/scoring and AdamZaks who managed course staffand referees, they had the variousevents running like clockwork.The Rio Brazos staff can be proudof their efforts.As competitors drifted home,George Digweed asked, “How do Iget this lot home?”, clutching threetrophies and a Kolar shotgun! “It’sbeen a truly fantastic event,” hetold the shoot promoters. I’ve shotthese Classics in various countriesof Europe – they’re alwayssomething special, but this hasbeen the best yet. I’ll definitely beback next year! I was particularlyimpressed with the targets –something for all classes.Obivously the two Bens had put alot of thought into each course –but as expected, the FITASC wasright up there with the best eventsin the world.”As well as Digweed, it seemedthat the event struck a chord withshooters across all classes. Shootpromoter, Michael Brunton, washeard to say, “Of the 17 Classicsmy team have done across theworld, never have I had so manypeople openly thank us for such anenjoyable and entertainingchampionship. With three of ourtop sponsors immediatelyconfirming their support for afuture event, and with so manyshooters asking about next year,I guess I’ll have to start thinkingabout 2012.” ■CLAYSHOOTINGUSA