Albany shooters are locked and loaded

Albany will have representation at the 2019 Lever Action National Championships and the Lever Action Tasmanian State Championships over the next fortnight at Blue Hills Range in Copping, Tasmania.

Multiple national and State champion Steve Hurley will head up the Albany contingent along with dominant ladies’ shooter Sue Knapp.

In total seven Albany competitors will tackle the national championships from October 5-7, while Hurley and veteran Rob Gill will also contest the Tasmania State championships held this Sunday.

Gill and Hurley will be joined at the nationals by Sue and Kim Knapp, Peter and Bob Tulloch and Janos Racz.

Hurley has won the Tasmanian title previously, when the nationals were last held in the Apple Isle and the experienced shooter believes Albany will again fare well at both events.

“The competition will be of a high standard,” Hurley said.

“The numbers won’t be as big as usual just because of the logistics of getting your guns and equipment over to Tasmania.

“All of them should shoot well. Sue Knapp is a multiple ladies winner and is always hard to beat.

“Peter Tulloch should do well in classic calibre and I think all going according to plan Janos, Rob and Kim should all make at least the top 10.”

Hurley won his 10th national three-gun title last year in Albany and again hoped to be at the pointy end.

“This will be 11 if I can win it,” he said.“If I can get my act together and shoot well.

“I’ll be giving it my best shot that’s for sure.”

Gill, Kim Knapp, Racz and Hurley will join forces in the teams event at the nationals.

Scores from the rimfire, centrefire and classic calibre are combined to determine the three-gun overall champion.