McKinnon retains El Dorado Steel Challenge Cup title
Veteran deadeye Ryan McKinnon’s form at the range for 2018 continued, and saw him copping the prestigious El Dorado Trading Cup is a Challenge Trophy following last Saturday’s 4th Anniversary Steel Challenge.
Some of the GSSF members commemorate its Fourth Anniversary
The Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) President outclassed a number of top shooters to successfully defend his title during the Foundation’s Anniversary commemoration shoot.
The first match tournament in 2015 saw McKinnon winning the title, and after three tough stages this past weekend at the Timehri Rifle Ranges, the top gun again delivered, as he mastered Outer Limits, Speed Option, and Pendulum categories.
With safety and efficiency in mind, the match administrators placed the shooters into two squads, thereby shooting two separate stages simultaneously. The first stage, named “Outer Limits”, was shot for the first time in Guyana, and involved the shooters moving from one box to another.
The remaining stages were all shot from a stationary position. The second stage, named “Pendulum,” saw targets set at closer distances but in somewhat of a tricky arrangement, which caused shooters to engage them in random order as they each felt was best.
Stage three, named “Speed Option,” caused both the shooter’s trigger finger action and their heartbeat to accelerate as they engaged the various targets set in a challenging layout.
Shooters competed in two divisions: Production and Limited; and as shooters completed each stage, their score sheets were submitted to the Stats Officer, Dr Pravesh Harry, who computed scores in specialised software designed for the sport.
Mr. Andrew Phang, GSSF’s Board Director, presented the trophies for the match. After putting up a fleeting total time for all three stages in the match, which amounted to 70.32 seconds, undefeated Challenge Cup winner and Guyana’s top handgun shooter McKinnon left the range with more bragging rights, as he emerged victorious.
The Foundation head managed to ward off some stiff competition from the likes of seasoned shooter Rajiv Latchana, who finished second, and the consistent John Phang, who came in third place.
Also present at the Range was Captain of the Handgun Section of the Guyana NRA, Mr. Dale Hing, and other Guyana NRA participants. McKinnon acknowledged the attendance of the Guyana NRA participants, and indicated that he looks forward to continued increased participation and collaboration.
Match Director Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon conveyed thanks to El Dorado Trading for the continuous sponsorship of this Annual Steel Challenge Match. She commended the Range Master, Range Officers, Stats Officer and shooters for ensuring the efficiency and safety standard with which the match was run.
The GSSF further extended gratitude to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Acting Commissioner Ramnarine, the OC, TSU and the ranks of the GPF Armoury and TSU. Additional thanks are extended to Brigadier Patrick West and the GDF for the use of their range facility at Timehri.
