The 2014 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Series kicks off from Tucson, Arizona, USA, where 300 athletes coming from 45 countries are competing in the five Olympic Shotgun events from the 8 through the 15 of April.
The competitions are conducted according to the new ISSF Rules, that introduced semi-finals, medal matches, and a new scoring system (each phase of the competition starts from zero: the qualification scores are not added to the semi-final or the medal match scores).
The new final format has no secrets for Laetisha Scanland, 23, from Melburne, who won yesterday's trap women final, the first competition, beating Great Britain's Sarah Wixey, 43, in the Gold medal match.
Scanland led the semi-finals with 12 hits out of 15 targets, and then tied Wixey in the medal match with a score of 12 hits. In the following shoot-off (tie-breaker) for Gold, the young Australian shooter outscored her opponent 1 to 0 hits, pocketing her second ISSF World Cup Gold medal in career.
Scanland had indeed won last year's ISSF World Cup Stage in Al Ain, UAE, followed by her teammate Catherine Skinner, 24, who had finished in second there.
Skinner joined Scanland also on yesterday's podium, securing the Bronze medal, beating Italy's 2000 Olympic medallist Deborah Gelisio 12 to 10 his in the Bronze medal match.
“I am still getting used to the new final system, and in addition to that a shoot-off always adds a different pressure, I was just lucky to hit my target and win the match, I guess.” Scanland said.
“I came here in Arizona and I got a cold, so I am really happy that I eventually made it to the podium. On the other side, I am glad that my hard work is paying off.”
“It's really a great way to start the season. I had a pretty good year, last year, winning that world cup stage in Al Ain, but I did not expect to come here and win!” Scanland said. “And it's good to see my teammate Skinner coming in third.”
The Australian team will be competing in the ISSF World Cup Stage in Munich, Germany, on the path leading to the 2014 ISSF World Championship in Granada, Spain. There, the first Olympic Quota Places for the Rio 2016 Games will be assigned.
“That's my goal and my dream: I would like to win a quota place for my country!” Commented Scanland. And, pocketing a Gold medal here in Tucson, she moved a first positive step to fulfill that dream.
The World Championship will take place in five month, starting from the 6th of September. It's time to rest for a few days, now: “I cant' wait to go home and show my family the gold medal!” Scanland said, with a smile on her face.
The 2014 ISSF Shotgun World Cup Stage in Tucson will continue today, with the Trap Men event semi-final and medal matches. Follow the event on www.issf-sports.org