By Jonathan Leask  January 8 2010

A contingent of local shooters is off to Trentham in Wellington this weekend for the rifle shooting national championships.

John Snowden has been attending the shooting nationals since 1992, making this his 18th nationals appearance.

 Over that time he has had two thirds and a second place in 2006, he said.

 “I haven’t gone so good over the last few years. I’ve still finished in the top 10,” Snowden said.

 He will be looking for a good performance at the nationals. With an eye fixed on the target his other eye may be inclined to stray to the future where he will be competing in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October.

 “I’ve been just average so far. I won’t be going in with huge expectations.”

 But hopefully he can perform at the nationals and begin building for the Commonwealth Games.

 The return to Trentham is a special treat for his wife Coby who is originally from Wellington and returns to her home range for the competition where she will be able to catch up with some old friends.

 But even more special is they will return to the site where the first met.

 “We actually met at the nationals at Trentham three years ago. Nine months later I moved down here and then we got married in April 2008,”she said.

 Coby will compete in C grade in what is her fifth national competition.

 “It’s a great week. Its pretty full on, but they do have a pretty good social side with something on every night.”

 Another attending the nationals is John Fleming who has not missed a nationals since 1967.

 During his 43 years of competition he hasn’t faired that well in the placings but that’s not what it’s all about for him.

 “I’m competitive but nothing too flash. I think 24th is the highest I’ve ever got.”

 He enjoys the competitive side but after a long tenure of competition, has also made a number of friends through the competition so appreciates the social side of the tournament.

 “I met all these people from all over the place – Australia, England and Canada – and the tournaments are the only chance I get to catch up with them,” Fleming said.

 Ashburton Rifle Club president John Miller will also be attending what will be his fifth nationals.

 After moving to the district from South Otago in 2000, he has been a member of the Ashburton Rifle Club since 2001 and became president in 2007.

 “The highest I finished was 6th and I have been in the top 50 every time with my worst place finish of 49th,” Miller said.

 He goes into the competition confident after some pleasing recent results.

 “I’m hoping to do better this year. I’ve had a good last eight months. I’m quite happy with my form, I’ve been keeping the Commonwealth Games shooter (John Snowden) on his toes of late,” he said.

 His wife Darion will also be competing but this will be her first nationals appearance where she will compete in the C grade section.

 At the nationals all of the shooters compete together in a mixed competition, but there are also separate women’s trophies.

 The fullbore rifle competition involves a .308 calibre rifle and the shooters attempt from various distances 10 times from each distance twice, totalling 100 shots.

Pictured: Coby and John Snowden check over their rifles before the start of the shooting nationals at Trentham. - Photo Kirsty Graham 070110-KG-040