“This is the best way to conclude a good season. I’ve reached good results both on national and international stages, and I was looking for a medal at the World Cup Final,” said Berg right after the award ceremony. During the 2009 season, he only participated in the World Cup Stage held in Milan, winning a Silver medal.
“It has not been easy... – he continued, speaking about today’s final - I was hoping to finish on the highest step of the podium, but I would not say that I was expecting it.”
“Next year's most important competition is the World Championship in Munich. – Berg said about the 2010 season - The first Olympic quota places for London are going to be awarded there, and all the best shooters of the world will try to get them. I took a break but now I am starting my preparation for the next season.”
The Silver medal went to USA’s Michael McPhail, who had qualified for this year’s World Cup Final by winning two Bronze medals at the World Cup Stages of Beijing and Munich. The 27-year old American shooter finished in second with 700.9 points (596+104.9), grabbing his first World Cup Final medal “This has been an unnerving final, we were all tied, it as been a neck and neck fight” he commented about the match. He finished just four tenths of a point behind Berg, and two tenths ahead of Potent.
The title defender, Australia’s Potent, finished once again between the bests. Currently ranking in first in the Rifle Prone World Ranking, Beijing Olympic Bronze medallist has been one of the protagonists of this year’s World Cup Series, as he won Gold at the World Cup Stages of Changwon, Beijing and Milan. After duelling against McPhail for a spot on today’s podium, Potent ended up in third place with 700.1 points (596+104.1). The Australian shooter had to pass throughout a shoot-off, outdoing Italy’s Marco De Nicolo 10.3 to 9.4, to win Bronze.