St. Petersbourg, Russia was the host of the 2010 European Parcours de Chasse Championship. In its 43rd year the event was held May 27-30 at Shooting Club Nevsky. With some of the events that took place the last few times a major championship was held in Russia still on the minds of shooters, it was definitely a smaller turnout than usual. Worries about travel in and the handling of firearms in Russia in the past are not unfounded. This time it seemed to go fairly smoothly though with just a few reports of late arriving guns. Shooters reported slight difficulties in obtaining visas but that the passage of guns was easy and the locking of the guns at the host club was actually convenient.
"The targets were of a good level even if the scores were high. I enjoyed shooting, the setting was magnificent." said event champ, Christophe Auvret (FRA) however,he went on to say, " There were far too many loopers for my taste with too few fast targets above the head." Silver medalist Ben Husthwaite (GBR) said of the event, "The Euro was a first class event. Targets were very technical with some of the most technical simo pairs I have ever shot. There were eight layouts and all were different in presentation and terrain."
The big news of the event was the strong showing of the French teams. "It has been 14 years since a French shooter has won the European championship." said Auvret. Teams from France won Gold in the Senior, Junior, Veteran and Super-Veteran classes as well as taking the Silver in Ladies. Auvret himself has won four selection shoots in France this year.
Auvret won the event in a shoot-off over Ben Husthwaite of the UK. Auvret and Husthwaite both shot a 192ex200 in the event with Auvret shooting +18 in the shoot-off to Husthwaites +16. The shoot-off however was not without controversy over some of the calls made by an inexperienced referee. "The shoot-off I would say one thing, the refereeing was poor, incompetent and the results were wrong and a sad end to a great shoot." said Husthwaite. From Auvret’s point of view, "Personally, I think there were errors, pieces that were seen or not seen."
Both shooters being great sportsman spoke highly of the other, "The shoot-off with Ben left me with very good memories of his kindness and the accuracy of his shooting. I had no particular emotion in the shoot-off with him but very happy to beat him." said Auvret. Husthwaite said, "Christophe is a great shot and a long time friend and I congratulate him on his first major!"
For those not familiar with Christophe Auvret, the 27 year old Frenchman lives in Gisors in the Normandy area of France. He has been shooting since the age of 10 and has managed a gun club for the last 9 years, the Ball-Trap Club de La Rapée. He shoots a Browning 525 with 32" barrels and likes Rio cartridges, though everyone in Russia had to shoot what was available at the club, only two makes of cartridges.
Of worthy mention in the shoot were always a threat, George Digweed (GBR) in the Bronze position as well as Felix Soldado Folch (ESP) in Senior 4th. High Lady was Cheryl Hall of the UK even though it fell out Italy, France then Russia in the Ladies teams. High Junior was another Spaniard José Julian Moreno Carrasco.
In the hotly contested Junior team event it fell out with the French team on top led by Guillaume Gay, then Italy led by the young ace Michael Spada and bronze went to the team from Sweden led by Jonathan Hermansson.
To wrap things up, Auvret says, "Finally, I thank the federation that helped me go to Russia, the staff of Team France, Dr. Dominique Lemonnier et al. and all my friends on the French team."
Related posts:
- 2010 Euro PCH Championship entries open on FITASC site along with a few others.
- 2009 European FITASC Championship
- 10 Questions: Ben Husthwaite on the World F.I.T.A.S.C. Championship
- 2008 European Championships in Austria
- In conversation with Ben Husthwaite, World Champion shooter and popular target setter.
