Although the turnout may not have been quite as high as anticipated, the annual Eldorado Air Gun Match was nonetheless a success, with many local competitors taking home top honours.
For “whatever reason" the number of competitors at this year's competition was certainly down, says Russ Whitford, coach at the local air gun club. Competitors in four main categories spent the weekend in full concentration at the St. Paul Curling Rink and on Sunday, took part in the final relays to determine the event's winners.
Air gun is a sport that does require a certain level of dedication, and as shown by the stillness and silence at the St. Paul Curling Rink during the weekend's event, it requires an extreme amount of concentration.
“You have to leave all your troubles outside, or you won't hit the target," says Whitford.
Prior to the event beginning, the club also invited the community to come and try out the sport on Friday night. Whitford says a few people did stop by and seemed rather interested, which was great to see.
This past February, the Canada Winter Games were held, which means that many athletes had achieved goals or aged out, which could be one of the reasons for the lower-than-average turnout. Whitford explains that it is an “off year" when considering the types of competitions taking place.
The club is always looking for new athletes to join and potentially send to competitions, such as the Winter Games. In St. Paul, “We are short of young ladies," says Whitford, specifically.
One thing that stood out at this year's event was “the great community support," says the coach. Local businesses made a variety of donations to the event this year.
Top local finishers of this year's edition of the Eldorado Air Gun Match are: Jordan Sinclair, Sean Dolan and Chad Stark, who each placed first in their respective air rifle age categories. Also, Devan Bailey placed second and Stuart Kotowich would finish in third in the sub junior men's rifle.
Competitors came from Alberta and Saskatchewan to compete in the men's air rifle, ladies' air rifle, men's air pistol, and ladies' air pistol categories.
