The first ever World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Championships took place in Milan, Italy from 27 July to 3 August 2008. A total of 11 countries participated in this event. Amongst USA, UK, Italy, South Africa, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Czech Republic, Russia, Finland, and Belgium, there was Malta present for this unique event. The event was dominated by strong contingents from Australia, South Africa, Italy, Czech Republic and the UK. Strong teams from USA and Italy dominated the podium. Malta was represented by Mr. Kris Debattista (left) from the Malta Allied Airgunners Club who competed in the Unlimited Rim fire Class 50 meters.

Rim and Air rifle Benchrest has been practiced for many years in a number of countries. The UKBR22 association

together with other rim and air rifle Benchrest associations in Europe,

officially formed the European Rimfire and Airrifle Benchrest Shooting Federation (ERABSF) on the 22nd September 2007 after the 1st European Rim and Air Benchrest championships held in Milan that

year. Since then other European nations showed interest to join this

growing federation. Other nations beyond Europe such as USA, Australia

and South Africa also showed interest in Rim and Air Bench Rest and hence the worlds 1st Rim and Air Benchrest championship was set for 2008, less then a year since the formation of ERABSF. Benchrest is a sport for all women and men, young and old.

MALTA @ the World 1st Rim and Air Bench Rest Championships, Milan Italy 2008

The Malta Shooting Sport Federation recognized as the ERABSF representative for Malta

Maltese Air rifle and Rimfire enthusiasts also showed interest in this shooting discipline and interest in joining this federation. The recently

formed Malta Allied Airgunners Club (MAAC) which is an affiliated member of the Malta Shooting Sports Federation (MSSF) immediately showed interest that Malta should join ERABSF. MAAC submitted a formal application with full support of MSSF to join ERABSF. In a relatively very short time, it was decided that MSSF/MAAC should have at least one shooter present during this

event. With some help from some sponsors, MAAC and Kris’ own expenses, Malta was represented in Milan from the 1st till the 4th

August 2008. Here Kris shared the emotions of an international event and gained experience.

Contacts between MAAC and ERABSF officials made it possible also for Kris to compete in one of the events. Although Kris, like all other Maltese enthusiast had no opportunity yet in Malta to practice Rim Fire Bench Rest, he used his “short” experience in Air rifle Benchrest. A few days of intensive training after working hours with air rifle bench rest shooting at the Victoria Shooters Range made it possible for him to compete in one of the most sought after classes, the Unlimited Rim Fire Class 50 meters. A member of the Italian BR team offered his €4000 Anschutz BR 50 rifle and other equipment necessary for Bench Rest for Kris to compete in this Class. Although the equipment was top notch, it is not just the equipment that contributes to good scores. Other elements and experience along with a good knowledge of your equipment is key to success in Bench Rest Shooting. Kris was a bit unfortunate, since complications arising in Friday’s

1st August event lengthened the Light Varmint class duration, and all training time available for shooters had to be cancelled. Kris literally had to shoot the Anschutz BR50 without any preparation. A total of 85 competitors took part in the Unlimited Rim Fire Class event on Saturday 2nd August. Kris first shots were on the scoring targets. During the

event 3 official scoring targets must be shot at 50 meter distance. Each target has 25 scoring targets that must be completed within 30 minutes. The maximum score for each target is 10 points. Hitting a 2mm circle in the center zone of the target, and obliterating it, gains you a bonus X. The maximum score for each score card is 250-25X in Rim and Air Bench Rest discipline. On his first run, Kris missed one target due to time out, but scored 228-1X. In the second run, Kris managed 231-3X and ended the third run with 238-1X.

Not bad for a first timer – Well done Kris!

With this score Kris ranked 83rd place from 85 international shooters in his class. The score total for Kris is 697-5X and this is more then satisfactory considering all the odds and the huge experience of the other shooters. In Kris’ class i.e. The Unlimited 50 meters the top 3 shooters were. 1

st Danny Allan Hepler – USA- 250-8X: 249-8X: 249-10X Total : 748-26X

2nd

David Kenimer – USA – 247-12X: 249-5X: 247-7X Total: 743-24X 3

rd Jan Fokt – CZ – 249-8X : 249-6X : 244-9X Total: 742-23X

The lowest score in this class was from Roberto Giarletta of Italy with a total of 486-2X. It is good to mention that Danny Allen Hepler (USA) walked away with 5 medals including 3 gold medals.

Other Results in the 1st World Rim and Air Bench Rest Championship. Hunter Air Rifle Class

Shooter T.Score 10X

1st 099 Jonathan Pizer 99 SA 490 7

2nd 001 Carl Boswell 1 UK 481 6

3rd 096 Pienaar Nico 96 SA 479 14 \

Unlimited B Air Rifle Class

Shooter T.Score 10X

1st 011 Ivano Vernarelli 11 IT 727 11

2nd 192 Maltinti Massimo 192 IT 723 10

3rd 108 Colin Renwick 108 UK 722 12

International Sporter 25 Metres Rim Fire

Name Nationality Scores

GOLD GIARLETTA Roberto IT T.Score 747 10x 41

Average 249.0

SILVER YOUNG Craig USA T.Score 745 10x 28

Average 248.33

BRONZE PANISI Teodorico IT T.Score 744 10x 36

Average 248.0

Light Varmint 25 Meters Rim Fire

Name Nationality Total

GOLD HEPLER Danny USA T.Score 750 10x 55

Average 250.0

SILVER CHIESA Danilo ITA T.Score 750 10x 41

Average 250.0

BRONZE YOUNG Craig USA T.Score 749 10x 50

Average 249.67

Unlimited 25 Meters Rim Fire

Name Nationality Total

GOLD HEPLER Danny USA T.Score 750 10x 63

Average 250.00

SILVER PANISI Teodorico ITA T.Score 750 10x 49

Average 250.00

BRONZE YOUNG Craig USA T.Score 749 10x 43

Average 249.67

International Sporter 50 Meters Rim Fire

Name Nationality Total

GOLD KENIMER David USA T.Score 739 10x 21

Average 246.33

SILVER GIARLETTA Roberto ITA T.Score 739 10x 17

Average 246.33

BRONZE YOUNG Craig USA T.Score 749 10x 11

Average 246.33

Light Varmint 50 Meters Rim Fire

Name Nationality Total

GOLD ARMSTRONG Peter AUS T.Score 746 10x 22

Average 248.67

SILVER HEPLER Danny USA T.Score 746 10x 21

Average 248.67

BRONZE KENIMER David USA T.Score 744 10x 27

Average 248.00

Unlimited 50 Meters Rim Fire

Name Nationality Total

GOLD HEPLER Danny USA T.Score 748 10x 26

Average 249.67

SILVER KENIMER David USA T.Score 743 10x 24

Average 247.67

BRONZE FOKT Jan CZ T.Score 742 10x 23

Average 247.33

Rimfire Unlimited Team

1st - USA A 2nd - ITALY BR ITALIA B 3rd - ITALY BLUE TEAM

4th - UK B Team 5th - Italy BR Italia A

The Malta Allied Airgunners Club members have gained some experience in Air Rifle Benchrest during competitions organized locally this year. When one analyzes the Air Bench Rest results from the 1st World Championships and compare the results with those obtained locally, one can say with respect to Air Bench Rest the Maltese Air Bench Rest enthusiasts are not far away from such results. The results gained locally by Maltese Air Bench Rest enthusiasts on a local level will place us within the top half of the classification results obtained by other international shooters in the 1st World Championships in both the Hunter AR Class and the Unlimited B Air Rifle Class. I have personally assisted Kris in his training sessions with air rifle prior to his visit to Milan. If Kris had the opportunity to shoot in the Air rifle

classes with his own equipment, his scores would have been ranked within the first 10 places. This is very interesting for Maltese Airgunners. The World first Rim and Air Benchrest Championship ended with an Annual General Meeting. During which the ERABSF and world delegates had amongst other items on the agenda the approval of Malta to join the ERABSF organization. Two applications were present for Malta. The 1st application was rendered invalid since the original applicant was not more representing the organization any more. The organization that submitted the first application did not show interest to renew that application, after several attempts and reminders from ERABSF. Thus the application of MAAC in the name of MSSF and the presence of Mr. Kris Debattista (MAAC) in the 1st World Championships sealed this affiliation. MSSF is now the official ERABSF representative for Malta. The two delegates representing MSSF for Malta in ERABSF are Mr. Stanley Shaw and Mr. Kris Debattista.

Without doubts it is also a must to have private ranges licenses issued in Malta as soon as possible to provide the required environment for Maltese Bench Rest enthusiasts in Rim and Air Bench Rest to start developing their skills. The Maltese rim fire bench rest enthusiasts must start gaining the required experience without further delays. At the moment only air rifle bench rest is possible. The Malta Allied Airgunners Club shoots air bench rest together with other air gun disciplines like Field Target (FT) at the Victoria Shooters Range, Limits of Tal-Handaq Qormi. Although cartridge shooting for civilians can now take place at AFM range in Safi, rim fire rifle shooting is not allowed yet. It is also very important that bench rest facilities are included in future private ranges and in a future National Shooting Range complex. This is not an impossible task. Such projects will increase the possibilities for Malta to host future International Rim and Air Bench Rest events. The next European Championships are set due in 2010 and the second World Championships will take place in USA in 2011. The European Championship venue is still not finalized so Malta is still in time to market its name along side with Germany and Italy for the next Europeans.

MSSF, ERABSF delegates for Malta and representatives from other MSSF affiliated clubs and associations will in the next weeks setup the structure of ERABSF-Malta. ERABSF-Malta Council has the aim to promote Rim and Air Rifle Bench Rest sport in Malta, beyond club level to a National Level for all Maltese enthusiasts, both in Rim and Air Bench Rest. Definitely there is a long road ahead, but with joint efforts from clubs, associations, all the Maltese bench rest enthusiasts and local authorities we can succeed in this sport. More details will be released as they become available about ERABSF-Malta.

For more information about other air rifle and air pistol shooting disciplines and bench rest shooting please contact the Malta Allied Airgunners Club (MAAC) on maacmalta@gmail.com or visit our website www.malta-maac.blogspot.com .In our website you can see all relative information about the disciplines practiced and MAAC activities. Should you have any queries do not hesitate to contact us or visit us at the Victoria Shooters Range Limits of Tal-Handaq Qormi. MAAC will host two open air rifle bench rest matches till end of 2008 on the 28th September 2008 and 21st December 2008. Stanley Shaw MAAC Chairman (ERABSF Malta Delegate)