The Wa Ke De range is a beautiful facility offering 100 covered firing points, protected by trees on both sides, and a high berm backstop. Conditions for the first three days of conventional prone were mild to moderate, with gradually increasing wind speeds each day. Winds were not the normal higher velocity single direction variety typically seen at Camp Perry - Bristol challenged shooters with swirling winds that would show both directions giving the typical match. Scores were excellent, and the competition fierce. 120 shots for record were fired each day, the first two comprising the iron sights aggregate, the last two the any sight aggregate.
Team Lapua's Kevin Nevius dropped a single point day one (iron sights) in one of the many wind reversals seen on this range and finished the day in sixth position (with a 1199 - 094x). Eric Uptagrafft, USAMU shooter and USA Olympian led the field with a 1200-097x score. Day two again started exceptionally calm and remained manageable throughout the day. Nevius was clean for the day with a 1200 - 100x and moved into second place overall behind Uptagrafft who shot a 1200 - 107x. Day three, the first any sight day, opened with great conditions, but wind velocities would increase throughout the day, making the 100 yard stages very difficult. Nevius shot another clean score (a 1200 - 104x), while Uptagrafft dropped a point (and had an 1199 - 102). This created a three way tie going into the last day between Uptagrafft (3599 - 306x), Nevius (3599 - 298x), and Mark DelCotto (3599 - 294x).
The final day again started calm but the winds began to increase speed quickly. Conditions for the 100 yard stage of the second match were very difficult and everyone knew the last match (also at 100 yards) would probably be the most difficult thus far. Nevius managed to go clean for the day (the only 1200 score shot), while DelCotto and Uptagrafft each lost 2 points.
Final results were:
1st Place Kevin Nevius 4799 - 390x
2nd Place Eric Uptagrafft 4797 - 407x
3rd Place Mark DelCotto 4797 - 380 x
Team Lapua's Michael Anti finished 7th overall and 2nd Civilian at 4792 - 381x and Nancy Tompkins finished at 9th Master with 4785 - 345x.
