Shooting in the wind, the 19-year old caught up the qualification leader, USA’s Heiden, who had equalled the junior world record during the qualifications. The reigning Olympic Champ Makela-Nummela of Finland secured an Olympic Quota Place to participate in the 2012 Games.
Italy’s 2009 World Champion Jessica Rossi came back atop of an ISSF podium, today, by winning the Trap Women Gold medal at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Beijing, China.
Shooting on the layouts of the 2008 Olympic Games, the 19-year old shooter from Crevalcore, Italy, did not miss the chance. “I was eager for a Gold medal!” Jessica Rossi said after the competition.
Entering the match with a qualification score of 69 hits, far from the top of the startlist, she climbed up the scoreboard to finish in first with a total score of 89 targets, after outdoing USA’s Rachael Heiden 2 to 1 hits in a shoot-off for Gold.
In spite of the strong wind blowing here in Beijing today, Rossi hit 20 out of 25 targets, throughout today’s final round. Four targets more than the 19-year old Heiden, who had made it to the final with a score of 73 hits (equalling the current Junior World Record).
“The wind made it difficult, not only during the final, but also throughout the whole competition. It was affecting the target, even during the shoot-off;” Jessica Rossi said.
“I finished in third at the 2010 World Championship, then I got a Silver at the last World Cup in Sydney… I have been looking for this Gold for a while.”
“I missed out the last target in the final. Going into the shoot-off I zeroed it, knowing that I could not miss.” Concluded Rossi.
USA’s Rachael Lynn Heiden finished in second place, securing the Silver medal with a total score of 89+1 hits. After making it to the final with a record score of 73 hits, she struggled in the wind, hitting 16 out 25 targets in the medal match.
“It feels great to win a medal, and to shoot a world record.” Heiden said.
“I will now participate in the next ISSF World Cup in Maribor, trying to win a medal in the open category.” The 2010 World Championship Junior Bronze medallist added.
The wind made a strong selection, at today’s final. The Bronze medal went to Taipei’s Lin Yi Chun, third with a total score of 87 hits. After qualifying for the medal match with 68 targets, she turned out to be one of the best finalists in dealing with the wind. Hitting 19 targets, she climbed up in third, finshing on the podium and securing an Olympic Quota Place for her country.
The second Quota Place for London 2012 assigned today went to Finland’s Satu Makela-Nummela, the reigning Olympic Champion. The 40-year old Finnish champion, who had won her last World Cup medal back in 2009, finished in fourth place with a total score of 86 (69+17) targets.
Following her, Russia’s Maria Volkova closed the match with 84 (69+15) hits, while Turkey’s Nihan Kantarci landed in sixth and last place with 79 (67+12) targets.
The last final round of the 2011 ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Beijing, the Trap Men Final, will take place tomorrow afternoon, at 16.15 (Beijing Time).