Top guns square off at NCB Capital Markets Sporting Clay

With the prestigious NCB Capital Markets Sporting Clays title up for grabs, intense competition can be expected at today's tournament at Knolford Polo Ranch in Bog Walk, St Catherine.

As one of the biggest shoots locally, it will feature about 160 challengers. The organisers have sent out squad information for those pre-registered to ensure a prompt 10:30 a.m. start.

Today's 16-course layout has been set by 19-time World Champion shooter Ben Husthwaite, who left Jamaica this week, following special lessons at The Jamaica Skeet Club.

Entry fee is $2,000, which includes lunch and hydration, while females and juniors will compete for free.

All eyes will be on reigning overall champion Craig Simpson amid what is expected to be a serious threat from veteran shooter Geoffrey Ziadie, who has won two championships so far this year.

National champion Shaun Barnes and former holder Christian Sasso could pose a threat also.

Thirteen females are slated to compete from the age 13-ladies class, including reigning champion Marguerite Harris, Wendy McMaster, Renee Rickhi and talented junior Savannah Miller.

Other returning standout juniors will include Zachary Chen and Peter Mahfood, while sub juniors stars will include Roman Tavares-Finson, Mark Desnoes and Jonah Subaran.

90 can WIN

Jamaica Skeet Club President Khaleel Azan told The Sunday Gleaner that a score of 90 could win today, noting anybody shooting above that would have done extremely well.

"I want to laud NCB Capital Markets, which started to promote this shoot about 10 years ago. Every year, they have pumped a lot of money into the junior programme and the sport," he said.

Azan, while buoyed by the steady growth locally, noted that Ben Husthwaite recently pointed to a number of world-class sub juniors, including; Jay Jay Ralston, Zaniel Knight and Richard Todd, who he ranked as among the best in the world among their 12-13 age group.