Connaught Ranges are the situated to the west of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. The
Canadian Championships are held every August, 2004 will be the 122nd Championships.
Great Britain sends a team to compete in the Championships every two years. The most
important team matches are the Commonwealth match (shot at 800m and 900m) and the
Canada match (shot at 300, 500 and 600 yards). These two matches take place following
a week of individual competitions.
The ranges are unusual in that some firing points are laid
out in metres from the target and some in yards. This means that the individual
competitions are shot at 300 metres, 500 yards, 600
yards, 800 metres and 900 metres whilst the short range team match (The Canada) is
shot at 300, 500 and 600 yards.
Until 1993, the GB team used the Governor's Foot Guards building as a
base during the day. This hut has since been demolished. However, there is a tree that
stands in front of the old location of the hut. It became a tradition that Captains
of GB team nail a pair of their shoes to the tree. To this day, the tradition
is upheld and the 'shoe tree' as it is known, still stands. John must remember to
take an old pair to leave behind.
 
|
|