The Trap Women final inaugurated the renewed shooting range of Munich. Russia’s Laricheva won the first Gold of the competition, followed by China’s Lu and by the home champion Kiermayer.
“This new sport venue is great!” said Irina LARICHEVA of Russia, winner of the first medal of the 2009 ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. The 1972 Olympics shooting range has just been re-opened after being renewed in prevision of the 2010 ISSF World Championships in all events.
“I had competed here 14 years ago, but now the shotgun range is completely new. In spite of the rain, I shot a good final, also thanks to the optimal background” continued Laricheva, who won today’s Gold with a score of 92 hits (72 out 75 targets throughout the qualifications, plus 20 out of 25 in the final round).
The Russian athlete kept the leadership she had gained through a successful qualification by shooting an excellent final round in spite of the rain “I am used to shoot in the rain – Laricheva said – rain did not affect my round…”
Silver went to the first time finalist LU Xingyu of China, who qualified for the medal match by hitting 72 out of 75 targets, shooting then 19 targets throughout the final round. The 25-year old athlete had never competed in an ISSF world cup before. She said: “I so happy about this podium. I did not expect to win something at my first try! At the same time, I am sorry I could not reach the gold – she added – I really had a chance today, unfortunately I have not exploited it.”
The host country Germany celebrated the inauguration of the renewed shooting rage with the Bronze medal won by the expert Susanne KIERMAYER. The 40-year old German shooter, currently ranked 12 in the world, competed surrounded by numerous local supporters and scored a total of 90 targets (72+18).
The two Slovakian teammates Zuzana STEFECEKOVA and Jana MEZEIOVA closed the final round tied with 88 hit. In the following shoot-off for the fourth place, Beijing’s Olympic Silver medallist Stefecekova shot-off her teammate 3 to 2 hits.
A first time finalist, the 23-year old Beatriz MARTINEZ of Spain, ended up in sixth place. She had squeezed into the final match by winning a 7-way shoot-off, but she probably paid her lack of experience in one-shot finals, ending in sixth with 83 hits (71+12).
The next final:
The next final round, the Trap Men final will take place tomorrow at 5 PM Munich time (GMT/UTC +2). Follow the match on issf-sports.org!