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FT Blog: New Year’s Predictions

FT Blog: New Year’s Predictions

2017 is the year of the Dragon, at least when it comes to the World Field Target Championships in Wales in September. But whose year will it be? Spring is coming nearer, so for this month I will just stick to PCP and then next month I will enlighten you to all things in ‘Spring’ (Piston class!)

It’s early January and the results coming in from the regions suggest it’s likely to be the usual suspects that will dominate the Big BFTA events and WFTF this year, but is there a wild card in the pack? Reading your own results can be a tricky task, especially for a new or lower grade shooter. I well remember the first time I hit over 40 targets in a 50-shot BFTA GP. Iceni was the venue in 2009.

Foot in the door

I had arrived; well, not really! Iceni is a heavily wooded course and there was no wind, which is not unusual in Summer woods. I simply hadn’t wobbled outside the kill too often, and I had got lucky on disciplines but as a then ‘A’ grade shooter, it was a special day. Must be if I can remember that far back!

I see the same with many competitors at similar ‘windless’ shoots. They get a bit excited about a good score, possibly even beating an ‘AA’ grade shooter and in some cases make the same mistake I did, of thinking they are a bit better than they actually are! Consistency is the key, not just on the windless days. It is those that can shoot outside the kill in the wind that at some point are going to have the advantage, while the others are blown away! So, if you are an up and coming FT star, put the brakes on for a moment and take a look back, how many times were you out of kill on that special day?

It’s prediction time!

Let’s start with Wales; and with the current World no. 1 and the 2016 BFTA Inter Regional team championship under its belt, it’s a tough place to win at present. Having said that, I did just have a breakthrough with a win! 2016 overall was mostly forgettable for me- the highs being hosting the two day, Inter Regional competition and then winning the ETL 80. It was pretty poor other than that for me. A change late in 2016 though, has seen my training program back on track and a return of confidence and hopefully consistent results. Not that I ever start a course without confidence! However, at the inaugural Oaktree 60 Open held on Jan 2nd, I got a bit of luck to go with my ‘desire’, and my name is first on the perpetual shield after a 54 ex 60 pipped Jack Harris by two targets. “Tidy” as we say in Wales. A 2017 high already, must be downhill from here on!!

Kit switch

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Jack Harris was using an Anschutz 9015 with a Kahles scope on top at the Oaktree shoot, a change from his winning EV2 and Big Nikko set up. Will either of the new items stay? My prediction is not unless he starts winning very soon. With the EV2 and Nikko in his hands we all know he will be hard to beat. Likewise, Wales has two other strong contenders for top honours this year in Dorian Falconer and Mark Bassett. Both will see podium placings this year!

The Midlands borders Wales and with Andrew Gillet and James Osbourne both on form over winter, could it be repeat wins for the multi champions? Not if the NEFTA boys have a say in things! Neil Hague is an excellent shot, but I think he has a weakness when the wind blows. Andy Calpin and Ian Taylor on the other hand have many years of experience behind them, to deal with the tricky shoots. Shooting with Ian at GP 1 in 2015 I witnessed a wind master class, something I won’t forget.

Heading south, Dan Eley has shown signs that the Anschutz 9015 can put in the winning scores, but can he get consistency with it? The CSFTA Winter League has been largely dominated by Air Arms shooter Justin Wood over the last few years. Winning the BFTA Champs in 2016, plus a host of other top placings with a continuing desire to win makes Justin, for me, the one who I think could in 2017 take the top spot in the big comps. (That’s him doomed!)

Wildcards

So that’s the obvious selected, but who could slay the dragon from the side? If Mike Williams (WAFTA) gets his Walther LG300 out a bit more often, you would not bet against him at most shoots. Ian Jerram has been quietly gaining pace in the last year or so and it would not surprise me to see him take decent silver wear in 2017. Nathan Reeve is in the 2017 E.F.T.A. FT team and could pick up something big this year, if he decides which gun to stick with?

I won’t make the same mistake of tipping myself this year, as I missed most targets after doing so last year! I will just stay quiet (that would surprise most) and sneak up for the odd win here and there.

2018 is my Year, it will be awesome!

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  • FT Blog: New Year’s Predictions - image {image:count}

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