Christian Planer uses his second chance this year

Already one time this year, Christian Planer, 30, from Austria was very close to the podium by being in the final at the ISSF World Cup in Guangzhou in the 10m Air Rifle Men event, but today he seized the chance by using his four points advantage from the qualification round. He won the first place and the Quota for Austria for the Olympic Games 2008. “I did change my equipment this year that is probably one of the reasons why I have been so successful this year and today. Now I am looking forward to the Games in 2008. We have an agreement with our federation that the person who wins the quota place can go the Games”, Planer said. Are Hansen, 24, from Norway, another up-and-comer athlete, who placed eighth at the recent World Cup in Guangzhou shot today’s best final score of 102.5 and placed second. Just one tenth behind Hansen with a total score of 697.4, followed the European Silver medal winner of Moscow this year and first time ISSF World Cup participant Serguei Kruglov, 21, from Russia. Today’s 10m Air Rifle Men final turned out to be a disappointing match for Hungary’s Peter Sidi, 27. The winner of multiple World Cup medals had to pocket his fifth final shot as zero after firing before the command of range officer was given to finalists.