MLAIC Short-Range Muzzle Loading World Championships
15-22 August 2010

The SSAA Australian Team.


Jessica Atkinson from South Australia after the shot.


Michael and Steve Nicholas from South Australia.
Michael won two silver medals and was awarded
for his sixth placing in the Mini Original match. The 24th MLAIC Short-Range Muzzle Loading World Championships were held from August 15 to 22 in Fervenca, Portugal. 383 competitors, representing 24 countries, vied for top honours with original and replica black powder firearms. More than 30 events with a total of 1560 entries for rifles, pistols and shotguns were conducted at the World Championships, with arms ranging from the matchlocks of the 16th century to the percussion target arms of the 19th century.

The SSAA sent a team of seven shooters to represent Australia at the Championships, including SSAA Muzzleloading National Discipline Chairman, International Delegate and Manager Kim Atkinson (SA), Team Captain Tony Van Elst (Qld), Justen McGowan (WA), Steve Nicholas (SA), Michael Nicholas (SA), Frank Verdini (SA) and Jessica Atkinson (SA).

The shooting complex was world-class with 30 firing points on each of the three ranges (25, 50 and 100m), along with two Trap shotgun ranges. The range also included an indoor air rifle pavilion with 25 firing points, a bar/restaurant and administration facility.

Overall, shooters from the powerful European teams, particularly Germany, dominated the medal lists. However, the Australian Team achieved excellent results, with the outstanding performance coming from Michael Nicholas, who picked up two silver medals and a certificate for Australia. The first medal was secured in the Lamarmora Original match with a score of 97/100. The event is shot at 50m in the off-hand position using a military rifle. First place was won by Thomas Baumhakl of Germany with a score of 98, but both Thomas and our Michael beat the previous world record of 93, which is a top effort.

Michael’s second silver medal was in the Donald Malson match with a score of 86. This event is shot over 50m using a patch-ball revolver with fixed sights. First place was won by Stefan Ernst of the Slovak Republic, who also scored 86, but Stefan won on a count-back, beating Michael by one 10. 86 was the new world record in this match. Michael also received a certificate for his sixth place in the Mini Original match.

With the high level of competition and the number of competitors (one event had 144 shooters!), a result in the top 15 for an event is an excellent effort. Some of the noteworthy efforts include:

Pistol
2nd	Michael Nicholas	86	Donald Malson (R)	50m Revolver
8th	Michael Nicholas	173	Remington (R)	25m and 50m Revolver
Rifle
6th	Michael Nicholas	92	Minie (O)	100m Military, Class 1 Prone
12th	Michael Nicholas	96	Whitworth (R)	100m Free Rifle Prone
9th	Justen McGowan	93	Pennsylvania (R)	50m Flintlock, OH
13th	Steve Nicholas	93	Pennsylvania (R)	50m Flintlock, OH
2nd	Michael Nicholas	97	Lamarmora (O)	50m Military, Class 1, OH
11th	Tony Van Elst	91	Lamarmora (O)	50m Military, Class 1, OH
14th	Steve Nicholas	90	Lamarmora (O)	50m Military, Class 1, OH
10th	Michael Nicholas	97	Vetterli (R)	50m Free Rifle, OH
Shotgun
11th	Tony Van Elst	41	Lorenzoni (R)	50 Bird Percussion Shotgun

A full set of results and medal tallies can be viewed at www.mlaic.org/results.htm

The next Short-Range World Muzzle Loading Championships will be held in 2012 in Pforzheim, Germany. This range uses electronic targets to score, so it will be an experience not to be missed.

The next Long-Range World Muzzle Loading Championships will be held in 2011 in Bisley, England. Shooters interested in qualifying for this event can register their interest by writing to Muzzleloading National Discipline Chairman Kim Atkinson as per the ad in the back of the Australian Shooter.