Last weekend we've had the first SVS IPSC practical shooting championships of 2009 on the ranges of the gunclub Suriname at Marina Durga. You may download a Dutch version of the report by clicking here. It's been exactly two weeks after our last tournament: the End of the year 2008 Championships.

Most interesting in this first match of the year was a stage by Rabien Chotkan to demonstrate how easy it could be to break the "180" rule during a course of fire. It was by no means a stage to generate DQs, merely to stress the importance of safe gun handling.

Nevertheless, two seasoned IPSC shooters got DQ'd during this 32 shots, barrel jumping stage. No, it wasn't DQmaster Jeff, who finished second in standard division, by the way. He was only bested by Luo Te who shot superbly to win the match. Ro "roofmaster" Tjin finished third.

In production division it was teamcaptain Serge who took home the gold followed by Rabien Chotkan and Perry Smit. The playing field is levelling out as our rookies are starting to show their stuff gradually giving the seasoned shooters a run for their money. Let's hope 2009 will be much more prosperous and successful as 2008 has been to us. Happy new year, shoot safe and see you on the range.