The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) hosted yet another phenomenal and successful Steel Challenge match was sponsored by CompuServ, one of Guyana’s leading technology & IT consultants. Shooters competed in the Limited and Production Divisions (requiring the use of 9mm or higher caliber pistols.
The match was declared open by Match Director Mr. Rajiv Latchana, who emphasised the need and priority for safe shooting practices.
Shooting commenced on the Smoke & Hope stage which is the most popular, consisting of the largest targets; thereby allowing the shooters to really exercise their trigger fingers in the fastest display of the day. It was followed by Showdown stage, and finally the Roundabout Stage.
In every stage competitors were required to shoot five different steel targets set out at various angles and distances, one of which is designated as a “stop plate” which is shot last. Registering a hit on the plate stops the time. The total time it takes to hit all five plates is used for the score.
Winner of the Production Division, Andrew Phang (kneeling left) and Winner of the Limited Division Ryan McKinnon (kneeling right) surrounded by other Prize Winners
Every miss and penalty adds 3 seconds to the time. Scoring is done using a digital timer which records times according to shots fired. The competitor’s best four scores out of five strings of fire on each stage was then beadded together for collective score. The lowest total time/score for all stages wins the overall match.
The Steel Challenge Matches are a speed shooting competition governed by the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA) that consists of eight standardized stages with steel targets, ranging in size from 10″ (25 cm) round plates to 18×24″ (45×60 cm) square plates. Competitors are scored solely by the time it takes them to complete each stage, and the match winner is the competitor with the lowest overall time.
Shortly after the final shot was fired, the Match was declared closed and at the closing ceremony, President of the Federation Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon in her closing remarks commended the Match officials for the high standard of the Match, thanked the sponsors and acknowledged the presence, support and participation of the Regional Director for IPSC Harold Hopkinson. Mrs. Persaud-McKinnon made mention of the encouraging number of female participants in the Match. She was pleased at the turn-out and expressed the hope that more women will continue to become involved in sport shooting.
Trophies were presented to 1-3 in both Divisions and Medals to 4th and 5th Place.
The Federation extended its sincerest gratitude to the Managing Director of CompuServ, Romesh Latchana, for sponsoring the exciting event. The Federation also thank the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Phillips, GDF Colonel Doodnauth, GPF Asst. Commissioner Ramnarine, GPF Commander Hicken, GPF OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, GPF Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the GPF Armoury and TSU. The GSSF, an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), continues to pioneer this simple, yet action-packed shooting sport to local pistol shooters by organising such matches on a regular basis.
