Competitors from all over the world attended the Munich Airgun competition ‘2010’ this year, with the standard of performances at World Cup level and beyond.

My final results from both the competitions left me mid-table, with personal average outcome performances. There are many positives that I have left Munich with, which I will carry forward to the ‘Major’ competitions of 2010.

It was great from my psychologist Mark Wilson, not being a shooting-specific psych, to have attended the second competition. It really helped him to understand me further and the sporting situation I need to perform within in the future.

I’m so nearly there. The 97/100 to start with on Saturday proved this. Fun times to come!

Gorgs is shooting in the Munich Airgun International Competition (28th and 30th Jan 2010).

Results should be available from: Live Results 

Results for Day 1: 28th January 2010

GEIKIE Georgina		93  97  92  96	378 

Day 2: 30th January 2010 

GEIKIE Georgina		97  93  92  93	375  

The British Pistols shooters made history this week, me included, by having our first .22 training session in the UK since the ban was enforced in 1997.

Don't forget you can keep upto date with my latest news by following me on Twitter: GorgsGeikie

Pilsen - A character building competition!

RIAC - Luxembourg

December 2009

The journey to and from Luxembourg will be one I shall not forget for a while. Travelling from London City Airport was a first for me and in comparison to ten days previously, when returning from Sydney-Australia, a very different experience. The plane was smaller than your average bus, but got us to Luxembourg safely. Arriving to a temperature of -15^oC meant I was experiencing an approximate -55^oC swing in temperature! Even the brass monkeys were wearing jumpers!

(Gorgs, Hannah Polak, Vicki Mullin, Geri Buckley)

Training went well on the Wednesday so I was prepared for the following three days worth of matches.

I successfully completed the qualification sections of my first two matches in 5^th and 6^th places respectfully. As a result, on both days I gained invaluable ‘finals’ experience and maintained my position. The large Russian Team (three in each discipline), were at RIAC in force and had dominated the whole competition from the outset.

The climax of the competition came on the final day, where the Ibis Hotel sponsored the days’ matches. I held it together till the end to shoot a very respectful 381/400 and go into the final in 1^st position.

A single point covered the top three competitors, myself and two Russians who had been victorious on the pervious days. This being the last final of the competition was a nail-biter, with Gorgs taking on the Russians! But just being ‘pipped to the post,’ the two Russians live another day and I claimed bronze. Look out 2010!

Debatably the biggest task came the following day. The adventure home! With the severe minus temperatures, snow and blizzards our small budgie bound for London City had long delays. As the weather slowly cleared, our transport became visible from the unexciting Terminal building. After boarding the plane and waiting for a further numerous hours, we were one of the last aircrafts to depart from Luxembourg. Touching down I negotiated the DLR/underground with all my luggage. Rearranged coach and Parental Taxi service down, I set foot back in Devon as the sun was almost rising!

But with a very worthwhile competition under my belt, it was home for a very Merry Christmas and look out the world for the 2010!

Results: RIAC Air Pistol 1, RIAC Air Pistol 2, IBIS Cup

Australia!

I have come to the end of my trip down under and a successful one at that. I’ve been able to train for the past two weeks at the Sydney International Shooting Range, which was originally built for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. This also was the venue for the Oceanic Games, where my stay in Australia has just culminated.

As the event drew closer, athletes competing gradually came to the range to train themselves. It was great to mix with some of the Southern Hemisphere athletes, if not to train with but at least train along side. Even though we are in the ‘Air Training Season,’ it was recommended to me to make the most of being able to train with ‘live shots’ with my .22 cartridge pistol. Therefore I have been able to mix my training between Air and Sport Pistol, which is a novelty and a bonus to a Brit!

Training

My first match was Sport Pistol at 9am on Sunday 29^th November. The Precision stage went well, shooting a 291/300. Upon reflection I was pleased with this as the majority of the points I lost were in the final two strings and I know exactly what to work on to iron them out. The Rapid stage followed shortly with a score of 287/300. This too was heartening on reflection, for similar reasons as my precision.

Getting ready for the Sport Pistol Final

The score of 578 then put me in first position going into the final, just ahead of Linda Ryan, AUS. Not quite being able to hold it all together in the final, I finished in Silver Medal position behind the experienced Linda. An excellent learning curve and Sport Pistol International Finals experience that I have rarely been in and especially the first time I’ve gone in ‘on top.’

Contacting home straight away!

My second and final match (Air Pistol) was this morning, Tuesday 1^st December at 9am. Trying to use the competition as a ‘training’ match, I shot an average score of 375/400, with errors once again that can be trained and irradiated by the time I reach the main competition season. But this score got me into the final in fifth position.

Further International Finals experience was invaluable, and even though closing the gap on fourth place too a nail biting climax, I remained in fifth.

The Oceanic Games was a great competition. The Officials and Competitors made me and my brother Alex (who was the newly appointed Unofficial Great British Team Manager!), feel extremely welcome. The Australian and New Zealand Coaches both invited me to train with their teams in the future…….what an opportunity that is!

Thank you once again to British Airways for sponsoring me this flight to Sydney and giving me this invaluable training and competition experience. I wouldn’t have been able to come otherwise.

One more step closer……...