IPSC Nationals 2008

This was the largest IPSC Nationals for a number of years with a total of 109 entries including eight international competitors representing Australia, Norway, Noumea and the US.

Entries were very even this year with 37 in Open, 28 in Production, 38 in Standard, 3 stalwarts in Standard Revolver & 3 taking the opportunity to shoot in Single Stack.To round out the stats there were 17 Senior, 10 Super Senior and 6 Ladies and one junior.

The USA’s Henning Wallgren led the popular Standard division dominating from the start. It was inspiring to watch him shoot a stage, showing how much room for improvement we have in New Zealand and the problem of not shooting against better shooters more often. Matt Webber lead the following pack with a very creditable 95.61% and it needs to be noted he achieved this shooting “minor” 9mm.

Open class numbers continued to decrease to the benefit of Production Class with former open class shooter Chris Gee coming a close second to Greg Dicksons latest title win.

Competitors faced a daunting 350 plus rounds spread over 18 challenging stages from 9 round speed shoots to 32 round field courses. Some of the more interesting stages required shooters to run through part of the local forest, shooting while holding onto a briefcase, starting from astride a motorcycle and shooting an entire course of fire from a canoe.

This was the second time in a row that Rotorua Pistol Club has held the Nationals. And in signing a deal with NZPA to hold 3 consecutive Nationals is enabling some serious investment in the ranges and props, which we can all enjoy.

Pistol Clubs were invited to sponsor a stage and submit designs for their own course of fire. Porirua, Waiuku, Hawkes Bay & Auckland took up the challenge. Poriruas design was chosen as the best and for his efforts Jan Serfontein received a CED 7000 timer valued at over $300.

Sponsorship contributed to the success of these nationals. Major sponsor for the 08 Nationals was Intuto, flexible learning solutions, who provided 6 training packs each valued at over $1000 drawn by lucky dip and presented by Intutos regional manager Martin Bester who also acted as the Range Master for the 3 days of competition.

Also to be thanked for their sponsorship of the match & donations for the prize table were Rusa Leather Projectiles, Greg Dickson, Mainfreight Transport, Steve Welsh, Andy Wakker, Pistol NZ Shop, Garry Raven Pre-cut, AGM Custom Pistols, Martin Bester Smartbest Limited and Creative Sandblasted Effects and Signs.