Pot shot equals gold
2006-04-20
THE eagle eyes of a Paarl clay pigeon shooter secured him a gold medal in Australia recently.
Gideon Malherbe (pic), a wine farmer from Simondium, competed in the Australian Down the Line (DTL) Open as well as the Seventh World DTL Championships.
His quick reflexes earned Malherbe a gold medal in the single barrel category of the DTL, a spesific discipline in clay pigeon shooting where shooters must aim for targets flying out ahead of them.
The South African qualified along with fellow countryman Jaco de Wet for the final, after shooting 49 out of a possible 50 clay pigeons.
What followed was a sudden death shoot-out between nine competitors.
“It’s very difficult when the competition needs to be decided in that way. It’s very nerve-wracking,” said Malherbe, who is a member of the Valley Gun Club in Agter Paarl.
The nine were divided into two squads and took turns firing at the flying targets.
“As soon as you miss a pigeon, you are eliminated and must stand down,” explained Malherbe.
After firing 41 extra shots Malherbe was the proverbial last man standing.
Compatriot de Wet finished second with an Australian taking the bronze.
The marksmen were however in for a surprise.
The firearms company Beretta, who sponsored the event, drew up a competition of their own and invited the winners of all the categories to compete.
Gideon was also included in this mix and had to cut short an afternoon of sightseeing in Wagga Wagga following his inclusion.
“They phoned me from the range saying that I had to compete in a shoot-off for the final.”
Again he and de Wet both made it to the final. The catch however was that the final took place at night.
“I’ve never shot under spotlights, and it’s a whole different kettle of fish.
“Although it is not allowed here in South Africa, I shot without my shooting glasses which made aiming for the targets easier.”
His efforts were well rewarded and he also took the honours here, becoming the first shooter to win the Beretta floating trophy.
Included in the prize worth AUS$3900 (around R16 000) was a Beretta shopping voucher of AUS$3000 and a voucher for a pheasant hunt in Tasmania.
In contrast to his sublime performance in the Aussie Open, Gideon gave a “very average” performance at the World Championships.
“The wind was something terrible, not that I want to give that as an excuse, but my slower shooting style isn’t as well suited to these conditions as that of someone who shoots faster,” he explained.
With conditions fitting the marksmen of England like a glove it was no surprise that a Brit, John Stafford, took the top honours in the overall category.
Gideon nevertheless finished the last day with full marks, shooting 150/150.
According to Malherbe clay pigeon shooting is a very popular sport overseas.
In New Zealand for instance some 360 junior shooters took part in the national open championships.
Certain schools own up to 20 shotguns and teachers state that the children’s grades improve when they take up shooting, as the child’s concentration skills are tested constantly.
The SA Junior team consisting of Tobie de Wet, Stephan Bellinghan and Brad Dalback won a bronze medal in the overall team
competition at the World Championships.
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