Martinborough Winemaker Services Manager, Pirinoa resident and current Wellington regional Champion Owen Whiteman has been named in the New Zealand Fullbore Rifle team to compete in the 2015 World Champs at Camp Perry, Ohio, USA in August. Owen will compete in both the individual and team shoots at the world championships and at the USA nationals which precede it.
Each team consists of 25 shooters, 16 of whom actually shoot in groups of four with each group having their own coach who, in turn is co-ordinated by a master coach and that’s the role Wairarapa Team mate John McLaren will fill.
This is a major event with teams from eight countries including Great Britain, USA, South Africa, Canada and Australia competing over six days in both team and individual events. The competitions will be over 800, 900 and 1000 yard distances.
Owen’s interest in competition shooting goes back to 1996 when working in Wellington his uncle invited him to the local shooting club to try the sport. Two years later he was taking part in the Nationals competition at Trentham.
This year at Trentham Owen was very successful winning the Regional WRA Belt and also being among the top 10% of entrants competing on the final day.
Owen is a member of the Masterton Rifle Club where he practices weekly, weather permitting, He is also a member of the Martinborough Smallbore Club where he shoots every Wednesday night. Dry practice is also held indoors. This consists of aiming at a spot on the wall with an unloaded rifle to develop what is known as a semi condition response – the co-ordination between the eye and the response to squeeze the trigger at exactly the right time.
To raise funds to assist and wish him well a Dance is being held 7:30pm Saturday 18th July at the Pirinoa Hall, tickets are $25 each and cover supper, non alcoholic drinks for sober drivers and entry. A licensed bar will be operating and raffles and mystery envelopes will be available for purchase. Please contact 0274 129 299 or okma@xtra.co.nz for further information or get your ticket from Martinborough Winemaker Services 6 The Square, Martinborough.
