The left-handed Olympic Champion of Beijing 2008, Chiara Cainero (ITA), won the Skeet Women Final, the opening match of the 2010 ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Dorset (UK).
The Italian shooter, taking part in her first World Cup Stage this year, qualified for the match in second place with a qualification score of 71 hits, tied to USA’s Kimberly Rhode, and ranking one target behind China’s Wei Ning.
Duelling neck and neck with Rhode throughout the first satiations, Cainero moved on and tied Wei Ning after the fifth station, finishing in a shoot-off for Gold against the Chinese champion.
The shoot-off turned then in favour of the Italian athlete. The Olympic champion, shooting first, hit one of the two shoot-off targets, while Wei Ning missed both, placing herself in second.
“It has been a difficult final – said Cainero, who climbed up on the highest step of the podium with a total score of 94 +1 hits – It’s my first World Cup, this year, and a Gold medal it’s the best way to start the season! I decided not to participate in the ISSF World Cup Stage in Acapulco and Beijing to save some energy. I would like to be ready to peak for the ISSF World Championship, next August.” Explained the 32-year old Italian shooter.
“I was not nervous today. I am just following my plans. The first Quota Places for the 2012 Olympics are going to be awarded in Munich, and I am expecting high scores there – she continued – I don’t wont to get there more stressed than needed… I will now compete in a couple of Italian championships, and than at the ISSF World Cup in Lonato.” Concluded Cainero, mentioning the ISSF World Cup which is going to take place in Italy next June.
UK’s supporters cheered up for Great Britain’s Elena Allen (formerly known as Elena Little), who climbed up the scoreboard from the lowest qualification score up to the third step of the podium. Allen secured Bronze with a total score of 93 hits (70+23), claiming the second ISSF World Cup medal of her career (she had won a 2005 WC stage in Belgrade).
The World Rank’s leader, USA’s Kimberly Rhode, did not make it to the podium, today. After winning the first two World Cup Stage of the year, in Acapulco and Beijing, the 30-year old American athlete placed today in fourth, with a total score of 92 hits (71+21).