World Shoot XVI, Rhodes, Greece 03-07 Oct 2011

The 16th IPSC world championships was held in Greece on the beautiful island of Rhodes. The 3 years since Bali has passed very quickly and training has been more sporadic than the years leading up to Bali. The World Shoots has always been where I do my best, I thrive on the added pressure and really looked forward to get on my way to Rhodes.

The road to Rhodes would turn out to be bumpy to say the best. We flew SAS from Copenhagen to Athens and had a 2½ hour layover before getting on an Aegean flight to Rhodes, plenty of time we thought. I've worked in the aviation business for 24 years and am certified airline and airport auditor so I think I know a few thing about how the aviation business work. I've learned a lot of new things on this trip - none of them good - the most important, Greece moved itself to the top of a bad list, the "Airports / Countries NOT to travel to or via with firearms and ammunition".

We were about 30 shooters on this flight and we were informed in the air that we had to go to lost and found in the arrival hall to retrieve our bags to remove and separately declare our guns and ammo with customs. Arriving in ATH there were no official information from the organization, there was a laminated A4 sign outside the customs office that pointed in a direction that could not be followed. We stood around lost and found for about 2 hours before our bags started showing up. There were numerous handling and security people running in circles getting nothing done. We had to unpack our guns and ammo and fill out a bunch of forms, the guns and ammo would then travel separate from out luggage to Rhodes. This was local customs and security regulations according to the handling agent, however the lone lady at the customs office knew nothing, we quickly decided that asking her further questions was futile and would probably lead to more forms and delays.

Old town Rhodos.

We were getting a little rushed because our scheduled departure time to RHO was approaching very quickly. I was the sole "lucky" shooter on our flight as they never found my bags and with time running out I did not fill out the forms and hurried to catch my flight to RHO. The flight was 30min delayed due to this absolutely ridiculous procedure. They claimed it was for customs and security reasons. A more unsafe way of transferring firearms and ammunition is difficult to conjure up.

There were quite a few flustered shooters on the flight from ATH to RHO. On arrival in RHO all shooters had to fill out more forms to retrieve their firearms and ammunition. My bags turned up on the carrousel in my unmarked bags (best way for firearms to travel) I just picked them up and headed passed the long que of shooters straight out to the bus. The organizers had actually a bus waiting, although information about such was scarce.

We stayed at the Rhodes Palace hotel. A self claimed 5 star resort. The lobby area and bar was 5 stars. The service was lets say 2. The cleanliness of the rooms - 2. The breakfast -1½. Size of rooms -5. All in all about a 3. There were very very little information about the match upon arrival. There were hardly any information before the match on the web either. Stages were published on the net but that is not really any useful information. What everybody want to know is the squadding and schedule so sharing a room, rental cars ect can be worked out before hand.

A great way to see the island.

I got up early on Saturday as I heard that registration could take up to 3 hours. It opened at 9am and we were there 8.30 so it was done by 9.20. We had all submitted pictures by e-mail before the match but some were lost in cyberspace - or the black hole of Greek efficiency - so new ones had to be taken and ID cards made, it made the registration process sloooow. Those that showed up between 9-10am had a good 2-3 hours of standing around ahead of them. At this time the only squadding information was posted on the door to registration, furthering the congestion. It was swiftly moved by some thinking shooters.

Having squared registration away it was time to head to the range for equipment check. We were quickly squared away by the experienced IROA staff. We headed to the practice range to try out our sights under the strong sun, 175 rounds were quickly sent downrange. Walking the stages it looked really good, they had put some effort into building the match and were were looking forward to the match commencing.

Sunday was spent touring the island on a scooter together with Wessel. 90% of the traffic accidents on Rhodes involve a tourist on scooter, no wonder as these thing could get up to 90kph (50mph). The island itself is beautiful and the east side offer more attractive beaches and resorts than the more party orientated west side.

Squad 6 had shooters from Israel, Portugal, The UK and Sweden. Great Squad

The opening ceremony was held at an ancient stadium, the setting was fitting with the history theme of the match and historical importance of Rhodes. The stadium was however far to small to accommodate all the competitor. The Swedish team was placed on the top bleachers behind a tree, from where there was no chance to see the stage. The president used the same "crisp front sights and clear triggers.." speech as we've heard i Ecuador and Bali so nothing new there. As we were scheduled to get up at 5am for first shot at 7.30 we didn't stay until the end. It was great to see some old friends again and such a large contingent of Swedes at a World Shoot. We've only been a handful at the two previous ones I've attended.

The range seen from Stage 1.

With how things had been organized so far and the level of information available I was a little worried about relying on the busses to and from the range, it would turn out to work really well (for me) the whole match through. But for day 1 I caught a lift with Danish standard team who had a car... I wasn't about to take any chances on day 1.

Disaster struck as I woke up at 5am on the first match day. I was shivering and feeling nothing like going to the range, I was sick as a dog with a high fever and cold. Awe crap!!!! I managed some breakfast and headed to the range. The rest of the team was in good form but I felt like I was standing at the North Pole in my swim trunks. I seriously doubted I was going to be able to shoot. I listened to most of the briefings, slept through the "easy" ones and tried to conserve all my energy for the shooting.

At the 2007 Europeans in France I was taken out by food poisoning, this year something else. I guess its only the garlic belt* that can knock me out as I've never been sick for a match anywhere else in the world.

One of the best stages of the match, the labyrinth.

This was the story for the first three days, I made some feverish mistakes that I've never done before. Shot the gun empty on the labyrinth stage, dropped the mag after 5 rounds on the long stage 8, but mainly I don't remember much of the stages we shot. I relied on my mental program to get my through the match and I held it together ok. My success is based on precision, even more important here as trying to push for speed while sick would only cost points. After 22 stages I was a fingernail ahead of Robert Andersson for the lead amongst the Swedish Standard Team, I was pretty pleased with that considering the circumstances. Stage 23 was the most difficult of the match with 4 swingers at 18-25 meters. I really looked forward to the stage as medium to long distance precision is my thing. This was my chance to excel. We started shooting around 18:00 so the sun had dropped below the ridge above us. I wouldn't say it was dark but the background was the same color as the targets. Up until this point I had shot 95 World Shoot stages with a total of 4 misses.

On deck for stage 8.

I started out by shooting a M on one of the close targets to the left. Out of 17M in 2010 15 were on targets within 5m so that's what I presently struggle with. When I got to the middle position and got the gun up towards the swingers, I saw nothing, no movement, I simply couldn't make out the targets against the berm! the third swinger had long sticks that could be distinguished so that was hit. I tried to say to the RO after shooting that this was not fair. It was the same for all was the reply. Not really, everybody that shot this stage out of the sun had problems seeing the targets but add my type of colorblind ness and you have no chance. I shot 5 Mikes on this stage. I don't do that unless something is wrong regardless of how difficult the stage is.

The last day went ok, but I was sooo looking forward to the match being over, it had been a struggle. I'll have to redeem myself in Florida in 2014.

The stages were fun to shoot, more so than in Serbia but the inexperience of the organizers - having only arranged 2 level III matches prior to arranging the World Shoot - became apparent as the match progressed. Hardcover in form of fiberboards that was more and more shot to pieces. That resulted in briefings like "if you shot through the hardcover intentionally its unsportsmanlike conduct, but if you do it by mistake its ok" how's that going to be judged??? There were no written briefings on the stages for the shooters to view. You aslo had to keep an eye on the targets during scoring because they were of such low quality that some were missing a distinguishable scoring border.

I was getting back on track on the last day but it was 4 days too late.

The schedule was optimistic and with all the prop problems it soon became evident that it wasn't going to hold, which put even more stress on the range officers who had to work through their break. The match was supposed to be finished on Saturday afternoon but some had to finish their last stage on Sunday morning before the shoot-off. Its time to stop this ridiculous amount of competitors, it brings down the quality for all involved. Put a cap at 1000.

I'm impressed by the work of the IROA and range crew, who again put in an ungodly amount of work for us shooters to enjoy our favorite past-time. Thank you!

View of Rhodes from a Monistary close to Faliraki.

The standard team squads had the best schedule of the match, shooting 5 days straight and finishing on Friday morning. We had all of Saturday and Sunday before the award ceremony to be tourists. Saturday was spend with Ralf and Bo of the DK STD team, touring the east cost. If you ever go back the Anthony Quinn bay is a great place for a dip. We also headed to Lindos, a well known town with all white houses protected by the Knights fortress. South of Lindos the tourism gets more scarce and the beauty of the landscape come if full effect. We had a great day that ended with the rest of the Danish contingent at a traditional Greek restaurant.

Anthony Quinn Bay. Named after the actor who filmed here in 1960.

When it comes to restaurants we have a team order (Team Capsicum Danmark). Avoid restaurants with pictures of the food if possible. Why? pictures of food in the menu if for drunk tourist that are too drunk to read, the food quality is usually fitting that clientele.

A normal scene on this trip... waiting for service....HELLLOOO we want to SPEND MONEY!!!!!

Good Service was also something foreign to the Greeks we encountered. It shouldn't take 15min after sitting down in a restaurant before the waiter comes over and asks if you'd like something to drink, also you should not sit in a restaurant or bar for 30min with an empty glass before someone asked if you'd like something more. We actually tested these thing just to see how long it took. The only persons I can think of that had a keep sense of service - that I encountered on this trip - was the lady at the Pharmacy in front of the hotel and the first aid people on the range. People that you hope you shouldn't meet so frequently.

The closing ceremony was a story on its own. It was held at the match hotel. The food and drink was just fine but those of us sitting outside the main room heard little of what was happening as the sound system was probably Greek, we managed to hear the President saying "..this was the best world shoot ever..." Did we attend the same match?? In my book that is a slap in the face for the previous World Shoots I've attended. It was probably a good thing we didn't hear much else. It might also be time for the Executive council of IPSC to get back in touch with the shooters a little more by shooting a match, or just joining a squad for a day or two.

This is sadly also apart of Rhodes. Everywhere if you look over the edge there is garbage. From refrigerators, to cigarette butts. No respect!

PM's were awarded left, front and center for god knows what, left out were the cleaning crew who kept the rest rooms at the range spotless through out the match, they were on top of their game.

Another error in our rules became apparent at the awards. You can be DQ'd but still be World Champion just as long as you are part of a team. So in reality you can get DQ'd for unsportsmanlike conduct but still receive a PM (as the 4th man on a team). This is absolutely ridiculous and must be changed. If you are DQ'd you have not earned the right to win anything but a ticket to join the spectators. Two shooters on winning teams were DQ'd from the match but returned home as champions of the world. A farce.

Me shooting on 18. Picture curtesy of David Thompson (www.practicalhandgun.com)

Getting the hell out of Dodge would turn out to be more eventful that getting in. The procedures at Rhodes airport was a farce of grand proportions. A form with six carbon copies for the gun, six carbon copies for the magazines, six carbon copies for ammo. There were so much paperwork for each shooter that its no wonder the rainforests are receding. On top of this was the ATC strikes, actually according the Eurocontrol there were no official strikes announced they just didn't work very efficiently in the Greek airspace - no shit Sherlock. We were early at the airport and got through ok. We asked the check in lady about 100 times if our bags and equipment were checked all the way to Copenhagen, "YES, YES you see we put transfer stickers on everything"... Well we'll believe it when we get to ATH...

Lindos - well worth a trip.

We only had 45m in Athens, and sure enough we had to go to lost and found and find our firearms, magazines and ammunition, proceed to check in again and wait for another performance of inefficiency and incompetence. Luckily there was a severe thunderstorm shutting down all handling at the airport. This made it possible for us to make our flight to CPH that left 3 hours late, we would never have been able to get through on the scheduled 45min. We, in all this madness were lucky to get home only 3 hours late. Many other shooters had far worse journeys home from this HELLenic shooting adventure.

The beautiful, untouched south west part of the island.

I doubt the Triple Crown match next year will see many foreign shooters. I for sure am done with Greece for a long time.

I know it is a volunteer job, many hours have been spent by a lot of people to get the match on. The overall situation in Greece has probably not helped but I just checked my training log and I've practiced 96 times this year (live, dryfire and airsoft). I've spent most of my money and spare time getting ready, I think I have earned the right to expect more of a World Shoot. The round count was 464 rounds. We shooters come to shoot and 464 rounds for 5 days of shooting is at the short end of the stick. I know all the arguments for transport of ammo, none know that better than me. Some of us will always transport our personal ammo and then it doesn't matter if its 600 or 1000 rounds, the same goes for the people who buy match ammo. 5kg as allowed luggage is not a valid argument either to keep lowering the round count.

Congratulations to all the winners. Now it's time to retire for the season and start my own business.

More pictures and video here

* Garlic belt - all countries around the Mediterranean sea.

Resultat