Finally feel human again after yet another phenomenal trip to Montreal. I have to first start off with a major disappointment, JP will no longer be a fellow rival in Production Division, he is now moving to Standard with sponsorship from SV. Congratulations man, if anyone deserves to be picked up and helped out in IPSC it's you. While I am sad to see you go from PD, I look forward to seeing you kick ass in SD, and hope you come back and play with us every now and then in PD so we can see what level we are really at. You shot an excellent match this year, and even if I could erase the mistakes and blunders I made, your speed and accuracy would've still kicked my ass. It's nice to lose by being out shot, not because of mistakes, and this was certainly the case here. Your whopping 19% kick in my nuts proves that. Congrats again, you've worked hard, and shown the dedication and good sportsmanship that a great shooter exemplifies, SV is lucky to have you on board and I hope they treat you with the respect and commitment you deserve.
Now on to the match, once again Frank and the boys at CRAFM have put on THE match of the year. Even with the silly restrictions that the SQ place on them they put on a match that is both challenging and exciting. Having helped out on a previous build I know the work that goes into this match, and it truly puts most others to shame. The challenges of putting on a level III in two indoor ranges, with stage changes, and the small space available, is not something for the weak hearted. These guys deliver, as far as I know, Guy was the mastermind again this year, and it's genius mind, that's for sure. But all the help he has it was truly makes this match what it is. Everyone involved should be tremendously proud of what they achieved this year, and I look forward to next years match (thumbs crossed that it falls on days off again). 9 Stages, from simple little 9 round stages, that weren't exactly burn stages (partial A zones and such) to cool moving prop stages that had a lot of people scratching their heads, to large field courses that had multiple valid solutions. If you are looking for a top notch match then you'd better make it next year.
Another big element to this match is the camaraderie of the shooters who attend, the staff at CRAFM, and everyone else who swings by to help (sometimes not even shooting the match). A friendlier and helpful bunch you won't find anywhere, these people rock. It's one of the main reasons I go, and will keep going, they welcome you in and treat you as one of their own. Even when you don't speak French (something I still regret). This year we even had two guys from France there, and I'm pretty sure they had a good time too.
The prize table this year was excellent as always, and I was happy to walk away with a new CZ hat after my name was drawn. I couldn't believe my ears when it was drawn again for the CZ Shadow pistol, and honestly I'm still dumbstruck by that. huge thanks to North Sylva for the pistol donation, and of course Nikita for drawing my name! I'll be calling North Sylva tomorrow to thank them for the gun as well.
A big congratulations to all the winners, JP, Mike and Nikita, and of course a big congrats to the new shooters who completed the match. Your first is behind you, now the fun really begins.
A special thanks to Mona, Jonathan's girlfriend, she hung out all 3 days with nary a complaint, handing out shooters packages, and listening to our stupid stories, you're a lucky man Jonathan!
If I've left out anyone, please don't think less of me, it was a fun filled, rambunctious weekend, and my memory has been going for years.
See you all next year!
Now on to the match, once again Frank and the boys at CRAFM have put on THE match of the year. Even with the silly restrictions that the SQ place on them they put on a match that is both challenging and exciting. Having helped out on a previous build I know the work that goes into this match, and it truly puts most others to shame. The challenges of putting on a level III in two indoor ranges, with stage changes, and the small space available, is not something for the weak hearted. These guys deliver, as far as I know, Guy was the mastermind again this year, and it's genius mind, that's for sure. But all the help he has it was truly makes this match what it is. Everyone involved should be tremendously proud of what they achieved this year, and I look forward to next years match (thumbs crossed that it falls on days off again). 9 Stages, from simple little 9 round stages, that weren't exactly burn stages (partial A zones and such) to cool moving prop stages that had a lot of people scratching their heads, to large field courses that had multiple valid solutions. If you are looking for a top notch match then you'd better make it next year.
Another big element to this match is the camaraderie of the shooters who attend, the staff at CRAFM, and everyone else who swings by to help (sometimes not even shooting the match). A friendlier and helpful bunch you won't find anywhere, these people rock. It's one of the main reasons I go, and will keep going, they welcome you in and treat you as one of their own. Even when you don't speak French (something I still regret). This year we even had two guys from France there, and I'm pretty sure they had a good time too.
The prize table this year was excellent as always, and I was happy to walk away with a new CZ hat after my name was drawn. I couldn't believe my ears when it was drawn again for the CZ Shadow pistol, and honestly I'm still dumbstruck by that. huge thanks to North Sylva for the pistol donation, and of course Nikita for drawing my name! I'll be calling North Sylva tomorrow to thank them for the gun as well.
A big congratulations to all the winners, JP, Mike and Nikita, and of course a big congrats to the new shooters who completed the match. Your first is behind you, now the fun really begins.
A special thanks to Mona, Jonathan's girlfriend, she hung out all 3 days with nary a complaint, handing out shooters packages, and listening to our stupid stories, you're a lucky man Jonathan!
If I've left out anyone, please don't think less of me, it was a fun filled, rambunctious weekend, and my memory has been going for years.
See you all next year!
