2017 U.S. Randle Team Wins In Bisley, England

by
posted on August 29, 2017
teamusa1.jpg

Editor’s note: You may remember earlier this year when we reported the story of smallbore shooter Elizabeth Harty. She headed to England in August as a member of the U.S. Randle Team, who defeated the British team 2304 to 2289. Elizabeth was kind enough to provide SSUSA with a match report, read on to learn her insights.

I came to England to have fun, gain new experiences, and to shoot. The first few days I told myself to just take good shots, read the wind properly, and be patient. I think every competitive shooter should strive to compete at an international competition. This competition at Bisley was my international debut. The funny thing was that I wasn't nervous at all. I had from Saturday to Thursday to compete, but the Randle competition on Friday (which is the reason why I was able to go to England in the first place―the emphasis of the trip for me was the Randle), so I didn’t think about it being a big competition. I traveled to England to have fun, learn new tips, and to shoot.

U.S. Randle Team in England, 2017
On the firing line.


And I did just that. I shot!

A big difference from shooting NRA Smallbore Nationals at Bristol, IN, and other competitions here in the U.S. is the wind flags. In England, they use wind socks which require a lot more wind to move compared to the thin strips of material we use in the United States. Fortunately, I had a practice day on Friday to get used to the wind flags. The wind was definitely there, it was undoubtedly the windiest conditions I had ever shot before. The key was to stay patient and only shoot when the wind sock was at the same exact position. The wind sock had a larger effect on the bullet if it was turned a few degrees one way than the normal wind flags in the states. I shot when the wind socks were directly parallel with the ground―and I was shooting dead center 10s! It was definitely crazier compared to shooting at Bristol, but I was able to learn quickly how to make quality shots.

English wind sock
Wind sock on the range at Bisley.


I met many new people there at the range, both young and old. One individual told me that once you become a frequent attendee to this match; it can take you hours to walk from one side of the range to the other. This person was spot on, I had many new supporters asking how I shot. Talking to them between matches made me feel that I’ve known them much longer than just the one week shooting at Bisley.

Camaraderie at international smallbore rifle match in England
Swapping memorabilia with other international competitors. That's Elizabeth's teammate Ruby Gomes in the background.


Teammate Ruby Gomes and I were categorized into Class D for the first match, which was the weekend aggregate. We tied and then won D class by 40 points. They elected to bump us up to Class B. Subsequently, we ended up winning D, C and B classes. After this switch, Ruby and I shot next to one another for the rest of the week. Being able to shoot next to my friend and teammate made the trip even more special. With every target hung, I committed myself to shooting the best that I possibly could. This approach definitely paid off. I didn’t keep track of points that I dropped, and I didn’t pay attention to what place I was in overall―I just shot. In the end I ended up winning B Class. And honestly, it was because I was having so much fun.

2017 Randle Team Awards Ceremony
At the awards ceremony.


The postal match the English team shot on Thursday was very early―starting at 6:00 a.m. Team USA won by a single X, which was their score from the NRA Smallbore Nationals earlier this year in Bristol. On Friday, we shot against them again, this time using our wind coaches (the men from the Roberts Team). My wind coach was my collegiate coach from my time on the Michigan Club Rifle Team, Mike O’Connor. We also won in this match!

University of Michigan Club Rifle Coach Mike O'Connor
Elizabeth and her coach, Mike O’Connor.


To be shooting with my coach who has taught me how to shoot, in England―I almost cried because I was so happy. It was an amazing experience and I wish to do it again. My coach has done a lot for me, and with his help during that match I was able to be the second female on Team USA for the Randle Team. I enjoyed every second being on that range, mainly because of the new friends that I made. I look forward to when they come to the U.S. in four years so I can reconnect with them!

Latest

1977 National Matches 5
1977 National Matches 5

Wigger Eclipses His Smallbore Position Record Score: 1977 National Matches

By several accounts, the 1977 National Matches were the biggest and best of the previous 10 years.

Team Winchester, White Flyer Competitors Shine At 2025 NSCA U.S. Open

The NSCA U.S. Open is the official kick-off event of the 2025 NSCA Championship Tour, Powered by Winchester.

New: MDT Send It Gen2 Electronic Level

Green means “sent it” with the new MDT Send It Gen2 electronic level.

Carey Garrison Secures Women’s Trap Silver Medal At ISSF Cyprus World Cup

Garrison’s medal doubled the U.S. podium count in Cyprus, following Sam Simonton’s silver in Women’s Skeet last week.

Review: Savage Arms Revel Classic

The Savage Arms Revel Classic blends a traditional approach with modern design.

New: Magpul EDC Backpacks

Learn all about Magpul’s new EDC backpack lineup.

Interests



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