Curious if anyone here made the trip across the pond? Haven’t seen much as far as videos or photos of the event. EJ Churchill is a bucket list visit for me, the place looks beautiful. Anyone know how our fellow American shooters are doing?
Upland Quest
Penultimate rotations now concluded and scores up. Frenchman Bastien Havert 94, Brandon P 93, Mark Winser & Connor Daniel 92 & Zach K 91 and many top shooters just behind.
The top 2 scores since Sunday have been John Lee & Brett Winstanley on 181 & 182.
So a big day tomorrow with all to play for to achieve one of the top 6 scores for the superfinal.
Heavy rain is forecast tomorrow morning, clearing around 11.00 when Team USA are starting, but earlier starters could be badly effected although any thunder could see shooting delayed.
Will F may still have outside chance of a super final place, but is looking well positioned in the Veterans. Would be pleased to see Will and Brian DeMott make it a 1-2 for the Carolinas.
Regards
Leigh
The top 2 scores since Sunday have been John Lee & Brett Winstanley on 181 & 182.
So a big day tomorrow with all to play for to achieve one of the top 6 scores for the superfinal.
Heavy rain is forecast tomorrow morning, clearing around 11.00 when Team USA are starting, but earlier starters could be badly effected although any thunder could see shooting delayed.
Will F may still have outside chance of a super final place, but is looking well positioned in the Veterans. Would be pleased to see Will and Brian DeMott make it a 1-2 for the Carolinas.
Regards
Leigh
Gunsmoke
Super final @18.00 GMT.
Currently the 6 finalists are
BP 185
John Lee 182
ZK 182
AM 182
Brett Winstanley 181
Todd Hitch 181
Those scores will carry through.
Believe there is only realistically Mark Winser who can still force his way in there, which could mean a shoot off of the 181s @ 17.30 for a super final place.
Regards
Leigh
Super final @18.00 GMT.
Currently the 6 finalists are
BP 185
John Lee 182
ZK 182
AM 182
Brett Winstanley 181
Todd Hitch 181
Those scores will carry through.
Believe there is only realistically Mark Winser who can still force his way in there, which could mean a shoot off of the 181s @ 17.30 for a super final place.
Regards
Leigh
That is outstanding. Tremendous shooting by so many there. Team USA very strong with lots of podium placements. Looks like it was an unbelievable and unforgettable event and the grounds there are really something. Nic Berry and Charlie Faulds have some videos up and the variability in the ground and backgrounds and contours is quite a spectacle.
Hopefully there is more video of this that becomes available to us to view.
Hopefully there is more video of this that becomes available to us to view.
I shot it earlier this week as a side part of a family vacation. Had a great time and will be watching for future big shoots at EJ. They are fantastic there especially the gent in the gun room. I found myself holding back on questions because even the smallest inquiry would have people dropping what they were doing and making certain I was looked after. They clearly appreciate their international guests and make every effort to please them.
Shot well on blue (for me) and friggin fell apart on red. Wasn’t even THAT tough. Just me being an idiot. I think I got nervous on red because after blue I felt I had a shot for top 10 in my class. US worlds last year was MUCH tougher.
Shot well on blue (for me) and friggin fell apart on red. Wasn’t even THAT tough. Just me being an idiot. I think I got nervous on red because after blue I felt I had a shot for top 10 in my class. US worlds last year was MUCH tougher.
Saw the YT video. Great stuff! Weird seeing ZK and AIM with Krieghoff logos on their shirts directly facing the camera.
I saw a post by George Digweed where he was critical of the Super Final format in general and this year's Super Final in particular. Here's an excerpt:
"Wondering why clay shooting continues to shoot itself in the foot time upon time again...Because we get the best six shooters from a world event lasting over a week to shoot another 25 targets in front of an expectant crowd and then humiliate them...Having been fortunate to compete in my fair share of finals the pressure of being there alone will cause unnecessary mistakes. This is in my opinion what the spectator is looking to see and not ridiculous targets set up mostly by people who have never been in that position themselves to rinse the cream of the field."
Those are strong words from the GOAT. I watched Charlie Faulds' video of the SF, and it seemed pretty reasonable until the last set, which was four pairs and one single with full use of the gun allowed. It was late in the day and overcast so it was hard to see the targets on the video, but they did indeed seem excessive - very fast and far. The B target of the pair must have landed in the next county, and every shooter needed a second shot on the single (and for most of them it still wasn't enough).
I certainly don't know what the world's best shooters expect and where they might draw the line between challenging and stupid, but George apparently thinks some kind of line was crossed.
Here's the video: World English Sporting Clays Championship Super Final 2025
And here's the SF scoreboard:
![Image]()
"Wondering why clay shooting continues to shoot itself in the foot time upon time again...Because we get the best six shooters from a world event lasting over a week to shoot another 25 targets in front of an expectant crowd and then humiliate them...Having been fortunate to compete in my fair share of finals the pressure of being there alone will cause unnecessary mistakes. This is in my opinion what the spectator is looking to see and not ridiculous targets set up mostly by people who have never been in that position themselves to rinse the cream of the field."
Those are strong words from the GOAT. I watched Charlie Faulds' video of the SF, and it seemed pretty reasonable until the last set, which was four pairs and one single with full use of the gun allowed. It was late in the day and overcast so it was hard to see the targets on the video, but they did indeed seem excessive - very fast and far. The B target of the pair must have landed in the next county, and every shooter needed a second shot on the single (and for most of them it still wasn't enough).
I certainly don't know what the world's best shooters expect and where they might draw the line between challenging and stupid, but George apparently thinks some kind of line was crossed.
Here's the video: World English Sporting Clays Championship Super Final 2025
And here's the SF scoreboard:
Should someone shooting B class scores have a voice in criticizing the finals? Did any of the actual finals participants comment?
I don't do Facebook but here is Steve Lovetts take. Perhaps someone can copy and paste it here.
A lot of the debate is also around whether to even have a super final, rather that it being the HOA on the championship course.
My understanding (which could be wrong) is that EJC Churchills have the option to hold in 27 &29.
However a ban on the use of lead shot in the UK within 3 years has just been passed, so 2029 will likely be steel shot only. What effect there will be on the attendance is of course unknown.
Regards
Leigh
A lot of the debate is also around whether to even have a super final, rather that it being the HOA on the championship course.
My understanding (which could be wrong) is that EJC Churchills have the option to hold in 27 &29.
However a ban on the use of lead shot in the UK within 3 years has just been passed, so 2029 will likely be steel shot only. What effect there will be on the attendance is of course unknown.
Regards
Leigh
I am conflicted about the super final. It makes for something interesting for those on the grounds to watch. It does seem to potentially undermine the efforts of those few shooters that were exceptional for 2 days and 200 targets. If you come into the SF on the podium there is everything to lose and for those just off the podium everything to gain and nothing to lose.
stands 1 and 2 at least from video looked to be great competition separation pairs and for the most part all 6 shooters did well. Some a little disappointed I am sure.
stand 3 from the video was hard for me to see well but obviously based on what it did to 6 world class shooters had to have been pure poison difficult. Perhaps it was more difficult than intended which happens. It was painful to watch the body language as the shooters progressed thru it.
stands 1 and 2 at least from video looked to be great competition separation pairs and for the most part all 6 shooters did well. Some a little disappointed I am sure.
stand 3 from the video was hard for me to see well but obviously based on what it did to 6 world class shooters had to have been pure poison difficult. Perhaps it was more difficult than intended which happens. It was painful to watch the body language as the shooters progressed thru it.
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