A single V-bull separated defending champion Ransford Goodluck from his closest challenger national Vice-captain Dylan Fields after the first day of competition at the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) 2013-2014 national championship, which opened Sunday at the Timehri Rifle ranges.
Goodluck shot two possibles at 300 and 500 yards and was declared winner of the prestigious Valladares Trophy, which was up for grabs for the top shooter at 500 yards in an intense battle in ‘X’ Class on a hot and bright day with subtle changing winds.
The reigning champion recorded an overall day’s aggregate of 132 points with nine V- bulls, three points short from a highest possible score (HPS) of 135 points. He shot possible scores of 35 points and one V-bull points at 300 and 50 points with six V-bulls at 500 yards while recording 47.2 at 900 yards.
Fields was consistent in recording an overall aggregate of 132 points with eight V-bulls with scores of 34.2 at 300, 49.2 at 500 and 49.4 at 900 yards in a head-to-head showdown with the leader.
National captain Mahendra Persaud dropped seven points to be placed in third position.
He shot a possible 35 points with two Vs at 300 yards and recorded 48.4 at 500 yards and 46.2 at 900 yards.
Current Caribbean individual champion Lennox Braithwaite is in fourth spot with 128 points and 10 V-bulls.
He shot 34.2 at 300 yards, 49.5 at 500 yards and 45.3 at 900 yards.
Inspector Dane Blair holds the fifth position in “X” Class and sixth overall with 124 points and three V-bulls after he recorded scores of 32.1, 46.1 and 46.2. Lt. Col. Terrance Stuart is the leader in “O” Class with 126 points and eight V-bulls.
He recorded scores of 34.2, 46.4 and 46.2 over the three ranges to stay ahead of newcomer Sherwin Felicien who recorded 31.1, 46.1 and 40 for an overall aggregate of 117 and three V-bulls, while Everall Nelson is third with 95 points with scored of 27-40 and 28.
Defending “O” Class champion Leo Romalho is out of the competition due to injury.
The championship will continue on Saturday with shooting at 500, 600 and 900 yards ranges with a highest possible score of 105 points starting at 10: 00 hours, while on the final day on Sunday the shooters will compete at 300, 600 and 1000 yards for a HPS of 150 points.
The championship is being sponsored by Crown Mining, Queensway and Industrial and Safety Supplies.
