Italy's Spada won the Skeet Women title, stealing the show to the American World Champion Rhode, who was left in second in spite of equalling the world record.
Katiuscia Spada of Italy won the ISSF World Cup Final in Izmir, Turkey, securing the title in the Skeet Women event with a total score of 96 targets.
The Italian shooter finally finished secured a title she had been chasing since her first participation in the Finals, in 2003. Winning the Bronze in 2008 in Minsk, and the Silver last year in Beijing, Spada has literary climbed up to the lead throughout the last three seasons. “I have been thinking about this title for a while. For three years. And it finally came! It feels great to be the champion!” the 28-year old Police office from Fabbro, Italy, said right after the award ceremony.
“Finally, I could find my rhythm. I was as calm as never before throughout the first three series.” Spada said while commenting on her final match. The Italian shooter walked into the final match with a qualification score of 73 hits, after scoring 24, 24 and 25 targets throughout the three qualification series “I managed the pressure, and that was my weak point.”
The Italian shooter stole the show of the World Champion, USA’s Kimberly Rhode, 31, who ended up in second place in spite of equalling the current World record of 74 hits out of 75 targets during the qualifications.
By missing four clays throughout the 25-target final, Rhode slid down in the placement. She finished in second behind Spada with a total score of 95 hits, missing a “golden poker” (Rhode had indeed already won three gold medals - two world cup stages and a world championship title - this year).
“This has been a good season for me. I am only sorry for the World Championship, as I did not grab my chance there.” Commented Spada, who closed the last World Championship in eighteenth place. “I wanna take it easy, now. Some holidays, and then I will think of the next aims!”
The Bronze medal went to the Slovakian shooter Danka Bartekova, who finished on the podium with a total score of 94+5 hits, after shooting-off Russia’s Svetlana Demina (4th with 94+4 targets) and China’s Wei Ning (5th with 94+1 targets)
“Four finals and three podiums is my best result. I would say this has been one of my best seasons.” Commented Bartekova, who won the European Championship in Kazan and a World Championship Bronze medal, this year.
“I walked into the match quite tired. I have been competing everywhere, this year, and I was also involved in the Youth Olympic Games as Youth Ambassador of my country. I am glad the year is over, hopefully I will rest a bit, now.” Continued Bartekova “I have an Olympic Quota Place, so I am more relaxed about next year. I might not travel to all the world cup stages.”
The Olympic Champion, the Italian finalist Chiara Cainero, closed the match in sixth with 91 hits. Qualified with 67 targets after a shoot-off, three points behind the closest opponent, she ended up in last place in spite of hitting 24 targets during the final match.
The next final, the Skeet Men event, will take place tomorrow afternoon, at 1.30 PM (GMT+3). After the third qualification series, the Italian shooter Luigi Lodde leads the match with an intermediate score of 74 hits. Russia's Valery Shomin and Denmark's Andres Golding follow him with 73 hits. Follow the match on www.issf-sports.org!