U.S. Rifle Team Wins 2017 ICFRA F-Class World Championships

by
posted on August 23, 2017
ray-gross1.jpg

Editor’s note: Ray Gross, the U.S. Rifle Team (F-T/R) Captain provided a match report from this year’s F-Class World Championship. That's Mr. Gross holding the Richardson Trophy in the picture above.

A total of 17 countries were represented at the 2017 F-Class World Championships. Seven countries sent teams to Canada to compete in the Richardson Trophy Match―the Team World Championship for F-T/R. Six countries sent teams to compete in the F-Open Team World Championship.

U.S. Rifle Team Wins ICFRA F-Class World Championships
The U.S. Rifle Team at a morning meeting during the match.


F-Class has two divisions―F-T/R, which is shot with a .308 Win. and bipod, and F-Open, which is shot off a rest with any caliber less than 8 mm.

Gritty Determination: F-T/R Team World Championship

The two-day team match came down to the very last yardline. The Australians were up 11 points to start the day and the Canadians were six points behind. We made up two points at 700 meters, and shot even with the Australians at 800 meters. This left us nine points down going into the final 900 meter stage.

Paul Phillips at 2017 F-Class World Championships
U.S. Rifle Team member Paul Phillips.


The Aussies chose to start shooting right away in what looked like easy conditions and we waited, hoping for better. While we waited the team stayed focused. Luck was on our side, it calmed down and the shooters and coaches performed flawlessly, making up the nine points and finally pulling ahead in the last few minutes of the match.

U.S. Rifle Team's Derek Rodgers and Steve Hardin
Derek Rodgers and Steve Hardin on the firing line.


The U.S. was the last team on the line shooting and everyone was behind us watching. After two days of very close competition, the match was not decided until our last two shooters. Our final shooter started with only 12 minutes left in the match. He ended up finished his string of 15 shots in about five minutes. He only dropped two points, giving a six point victory to the U.S. team.

800 meters at 2017 F-Class World Championships in Canada
The U.S. Rifle Team competing in the 800 yard Richardson Match.


The team was so focused on delivering our best performance that we weren't sure how the other teams had finished. After the last shot the Australian captain came over and congratulated me. They had been watching our score and knew that we had won the match.

The team's gritty determination had paid off, making it had been one of the most exciting matches that I've ever been a part of. Everyone on the U.S. team should be proud that they did not let our slim chances discourage them going into that last yard line. They stayed focused and each delivered a top performance.

See the full match results at www.dcra.ca/results/2017/CFRC/aggindex_a.htm. The F-Open results are listed first, followed by F-T/R.

All photos by Kevin McSparron

Latest

Natehorvath Interview 1
Natehorvath Interview 1

Nate Horvath On PrairieFire Nevada Rebranding To Staccato Vegas, Membership Benefits And Range Day

PrairieFire CEO Nate Horvath talks about Staccato Range Day 2025, rebranding to Staccato Vegas, benefits of the Nevada facility and membership options.

NRA CEO & EVP Doug Hamlin On 2025 NRA Great American Outdoor Show: ‘A True Celebration Of American Freedom’

Massive crowds descended on Central Pennsylvania for 2025 NRA Great American Outdoor Show.

Upgrade Your SIG P320 With The Brouwer M1823 Steel Grip Module

This steel grip module is compatible with standard P320 magazines, slides and fire control units, and has a built-in magwell.

NRA Celebrates Centennial Anniversary: 1971 National Matches

The year 1971 marked 100 years of operation for the National Rifle Association of America.

NRA Range Development & Operations Conference Announced For August 2025

NRA Range Development & Operations Conference to be held in Fairfax, Va., August 21-22, 2025.

Weaver Mounts Unveils New Website

Weaver Mounts launches new website at WeaverMounts.com.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.