Some of the country’s sharpest shooters will be in Dunedin this weekend to attempt to qualify for a spot at next year’s world championships.
The Dunedin Clay Target Club is hosting the South Island Clay Target Championships over the weekend, and organiser Tim Cleminson expected more than 100 participants over each of the three days.
The participants ranged in age from secondary school to “over 70”, with the “full spectrum” of abilities on display.
“Anyone who has a good eye and good concentration can succeed at the sport.”
Mr Cleminson said the event was also important for some of the more advanced participants, as it was the final qualifying event for the World Clay Target Championships in Christchurch next year.
“So, after this weekend, the team selections will be for their open teams and junior, ladies and veterans teams will be selected to shoot for New Zealand.
“There’s a lot riding on this weekend for some people because they have to travel to other, go-to shoots to participate in certain events, to shoot in an event, to have their score submitted to qualify.
“So, obviously the better shooters, they have to put in a certain number of scores and then the better shooters out of all of those scores get selected.”
Mr Cleminson said they were fortunate the weather forecast was for reasonably clear days over the weekend.
“We’ve been working on this since the start of the year just with our maintenance and getting stuff painted and tidied up.”
The event wraps up tomorrow.