Monday morning and heading back across the Solent from the IOW this morning, after the British Open Champs, feels a bit like waking up from a dream.
Like many of us, I was looking forward to this shoot - the first national event ever held on the IOW; just getting there felt a little bit like an adventure.
It didn't disappoint.
A revelation of a ground, with almost limitless parking and a huge, mixed woodland, in which to set up the course; I can definitely see Carisbrooke R&P club hosting some big competitions in years to come. Just as importantly, they had ample man-power and are a lovely bunch of guys.
Thanks for all your efforts Gents 👏👏👏
Shooting-wise, my 49/50 on day one was a joint PB for me on a BFTA course but (apart from the standers) it was one of those shoots where everything just clicks and you cant wait to get onto the lane and shoot, already knowing the targets are going to fall over - a rare but lovely feeling😊
Not so Day2! Paired with the inimitable Mr Falconer, who was only 2 down from day 1 himself it all started OK, from lane 4 but as we came to the open cut through, I saw what I thought was wind coming in from the open left, erring toward that side on a 50 yarder, only to then get pushed out to the left of the kill! This then informed my aim point on the next target, the Moose in the open, where I dialled back slightly on the amount of L to R wind, which of course then proved not to be enough. And then in the very next lane, I gave LH edge on Crowzilla and it went straight, to hit my aim point. Three down in three lanes. Bugger.
However, I managed to nail the Standers on the next lane, with Doz missing one, so still in the game.
With the wind dropping to near zero as we moved back into the wood, much pumping was had , as Mr Croucher would say - before we turned back to lane 1 and the adrenaline kicked in big time!
My last 6 targets included 2 x 50+ yarders, a mini-mini with a mini-stander to finish that was so shot up and dark that I only found out that it was a mini after the shoot finished!
Pushed by Doz, the whole way, there was no margin for error and when I stepped up to my standing lane to finish my legs were jelly and a part of my brain just wanted to pump two shots into the ground and walk away, "oh well, not my year again, never mind". But you cant do that. Obviously. You've just got to step up and take it, trying to tell the nervous excited other part of your brain that its just another shot and to shut the f*@k up. It doesn't work of course. Back in the real world the targets fell over and after a 15 year wait, I'd finally won another major FT Comp. Phew!
Doz gave me a hug - which, given we'd been desperately trying to out shoot each other for the previous 4.5hrs - shows the class of the man 👊. Thanks to everyone else too, that shook my hand or said 'well done'. I always joke to my wife that the only prize I look to win in FT is the 'respect and admiration of my peers' but its true🫶
Thanks to Jarne, Jonno Noon, Doz and Allan for thier good company as shooting partners over the two days and my SEFTA bretheren for the 'bants' in the bar each night; win or no win, its always a great weekend away with the boys around.
So, as the ferry approaches the dock and the dream ends I find I can pinch myself and still say that Im the British Open Champion 2025🏆 and that feels pretty good 😊
Have a good off-season everyone, hope to see you all again next year 👍
