The inaugural SSAA NRA Smallbore 3-Positional (Any Sight) International Postal Match has been completed, marking the first SSAA postal shoot contested with competitors from the United States.

The match attracted 25 competitors — 19 Australians and six Americans — shooting the same 3 × 40-shot prone, standing and kneeling course over 1200 points. Australia fired at Southern Districts Rifle Club in April, with the US contingent completing its match at St. Joseph Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in June.

Importantly, the US field included strong national-level talent, and the competition proved extremely close. American Cameron Zwart won the match with 1161.49, just one point ahead of Australia’s Jim Eu on 1160.47, with Xavier Keeling third on 1158.43 and Matt Rogaloff fourth on 1146.37.

The US contingent also performed strongly across the field, with five of its six shooters finishing inside the top seven outright. Zwart recorded the highest prone and kneeling scores, while Keeling took the standing high card.

The match also highlighted emerging junior talent. US competitors John Disser and Zachary Wall finished first and second in the Under-18 category, while Aliana Gwinn won Under-15 with 1100.21, placing 12th outright.

At national level, the result was equally tight. The leading four US scores combined for 4574 with 146 centres, compared with Australia’s 4550 with the same 146 centres.

The significance of the event extends beyond the result. It forms part of the developing relationship between SSAA NRA Smallbore and the US smallbore community, alongside Australian participation in the US-hosted Hands Across the Sea competition – and together both sides are now in the planning stages for another reciprocal championship in 2027.

For an inaugural event, the outcome was highly encouraging: strong international participation, a one-point winning margin, competitive parity between the two countries and a clear platform to build future Australia–US smallbore competition.