Greetings all,

It has been some years since I last attended a match in Sweden. Last time I competed there was actually my very first international IPSC match, at the Europeans in 1995. Up to that point I was shooting mostly rifle matches... So it was with great enthusiasm that we made the long drive up from Holland, through Germany and Denmark to Sandaknallen in Sweden.

It would be a busy week for me. Not only was I giving classes before and after the match, but I also had a full squad of shooting to do "match coaching" with, so it promised to a tough match. In addition to all that, the weather predictions looked grim, with expectations of rain, after almost two months of perfect summer in the region. So we packed up our rain gear, and hit the road.

What can I say, the entire week was a huge success! we spent the week in a wooden cabin, on a beautiful camp site, which was a whole lot more enjoyable than a small little hotel room! Barbequing every night, sitting out in the evening, watching the rain... It did rain - but only a little - and not until we were done for the day. It was like the weather gods were looking down, waiting for us to finish the shooting for the day before allowing the rain to fall. While it was grey and cloudy, it was dry when it mattered.

The match itself was fantastic! 15 stages built in one of the nicest outdoor ranges I have seen for a while. 10 of the stages were built in the range "proper" which is a rock quarry, like so many ranges are. But the extra 5 stages were built out in the woods, literarily! just out there in the forest amongst the trees. Apparently this is normal in Sweden, as only us foreigners seemed to find it a little strange. But it did make for a beautiful inspiring environment.

since I was coaching the squad, I shot every stage first, to free myself to watch all the others shoot and give them my feedback. I have found that I can shoot well under these conditions, but sometimes, especially on those stages with moving targets, I would have welcomed the chance to watch some other shooters go first. All in all, under the circumstances I was pleased with my shooting. My new STI guns are still being fine tuned, so they were not 100% match ready yet. Even so, I was able to stay away for the big errors, and win the match.

I was impressed by the good field of shooters in all divisions. Many of these fine shooters do not come down to compete in main land Europe very often, so  we don't see them in the big matches in France, Germany or Italy. But they certainly have their full share of top class shooters in Scandinavia! It was a real pleasure to watch, and an honor to win the match!

The match offered a mix of large, medium and small stages. And even the smaller stages offered a challenge. A good number of moving targets challenged the shooters, and many stages, which appeared simple at a first glace were actually more complex, through cleaver target placement.  The spacious ranges allowed for big spread out stages, which required some running around, and allowed for plenty of free style and tactical decisions. Lots of shooting-on-the-move for those looking for the option.

My STI Euro team was well represented as well, although not all team members could be there. The team decided this would be an important match to attend, as it was the biggest match of the year in Scandinavia. Our Italians, Irene Canetta and Fabrizio Pesce where there shooting great. Irene won Ladies Open by a landslide and Fab came in 4th. Our Danish shooter Ralf Jensen shot an inspired match, and won the match in Standard. I shot and won Open. So all in all it was a great weekend for the team!

The award ceremony was an impressive event as well, In fact, I can't really recall a better attended prize ceremony at a level III in Europe... and when the ceremony began I found out why: One of the best prize tables in Europe was on offer for the top winners, as well as raffled among the shooters present at the event. So that is why everyone stayed... Ok....
Great job by the organizers to buy and obtain from sponsors so many products for the shooters! Far more than you would see at most match in Europe! And it just makes for a much more impressive and enjoyable ceremony, with lots of cheering and support for the winners. One really felt the friendship and respect amongst the competitors. A great atmosphere all around.

Good food on the range and a match run perfectly on schedule are just two more plus points worth mentioning. And I was told that the whole event was built and organized by a very small group of dedicated people! My hat's off to them!! Great job guys! I will certainly try to come back to compete in Sweden again.

Top 10 Open:

Top 10 Production:

Top 10 Standard:

As always I have my sponsors to thank for their support
STI International
Drummen Custom Guns
Berry's Fmg
Competitive Edge Dynamics (CED)
Rescomp Handgun Technologies
Lapua/Vihtavuori
Aimpoint

Until the next time I wish you all excellent shooting.
Saul Kirsch

Pictures:
photos by
Hanneke Vermeulen.