Sedalia, MO - The opening stage of the prestigious 2026 Lapua Monarch Cup has concluded, kicking off the National Smallbore Rifle Silhouette Championships in impressive fashion. Held July 26-28 at the renowned Ridgway Rifle Club in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, the Lapua Monarch Cup attracted 118 competitors from across the United States and around the world to compete for the title of North American Smallbore Silhouette Champion.
While the NRA National Championship includes both Standard Rifle and Hunter Rifle classifications, only Standard Rifle scores are used to determine standings in the Lapua Monarch Cup.
Competitors faced a variety of challenging conditions throughout the match. Periods of beautiful weather provided ideal shooting opportunities, while intermittent torrential rain tested the skill, focus, and resilience of even the most experienced shooters.
Finland's Marko Nikko delivered a dominant performance to capture the overall title in the first stage of the series. Nikko knocked down an impressive 111 of 120 targets, ranging from 40 to 100 meters, all fired from the standing position.
Team Berger's John Mullins finished second with a score of 109/120, while Team SK's Jake Stine, a two-time Lapua Monarch Cup Champion, secured third place with 108/120.
"We are proud to support a world-class event that attracts the best silhouette shooters from around the globe," said Adam Braverman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Capstone Precision Group. "Congratulations to all the competitors who battled through challenging conditions and demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the match. We would also like to thank Ridgway Rifle Club and the many event sponsors whose support helped make this competition possible."
With the first stage complete, competitors now turn their attention to the second and final leg of the 2026 Lapua Monarch Cup, scheduled for October 10-11, 2026, in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, where the overall Lapua Monarch Cup Champion will be crowned.
The Lapua Monarch Cup is built around the annual U.S. Smallbore Rifle Silhouette National Championships and incorporates a second championship event hosted by either Canada or Mexico, selected through a competitive proposal process. Competitors accumulate points across both events to determine the overall Monarch Cup Champion.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the tremendous support and hospitality of the Ridgway Rifle Club. The dedication of the club's leadership, staff, and volunteers was instrumental in delivering a world-class championship experience for competitors and spectators alike.
About Lapua: Lapua produces the highest quality small caliber cartridges and components for civilian and professional use. Lapua is imported by Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Lapua.com.