Despite mixed results in the Grand Aggregate events earlier in the week, Sarnians excelled in the first stage of the King’s Prize, the competition widely regarded as full-bore rifle shooting’s most prestigious honour.
Nick Mace – already a 17-time King’s finalist – led the way, dropping just one of his 21 scoring shots outside of the bullseye for a score of 104 out of 105, with 13 of those attaining central ‘V-bull’ status.
Also qualifying was 16-year-old Elizabeth College student Seb Steer, who scored 101. He will be one of the youngest competitors in this afternoon’s second stage, which will determine the top 100 men and women who will contest the King’s Prize Final tomorrow.
The other Guernsey qualifiers were Al Stewart and Nick Branch on 103, Stephen Penrose and Adam Jory on 102, Jacques Bideau and Alexander Stewart on 101, and Braden Morris and Ollie Hudson just inside the qualifying score of 100 with 9 V-bulls.
‘It’s great to see our young shooters proving themselves against a world-class field,’ said Guernsey captain Mike Creber. ‘Their persistence over several seasons has allowed their potential to develop and is now paying dividends for the Guernsey team at Bisley.’
In the first stage of the St George’s Vase – generally regarded as second in status only to the King’s Prize – veteran Commonwealth Games shooter Adam Jory led Guernsey’s seven second-stage qualifiers with his 74.7v ex 75.15v.
This morning also sees the Guernsey team competing against Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Jersey and the United States in the Kolapore international match.
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