2008 Westcott Indoor Champs
Results - pictures to followThe 2008 NFAS Scottish Champs took place during the Easter weekend, four Westcott archers, Cass James, Ruth McWilliam and James Rae as her caddy, Mark Barnet and Shel Cowles travelled to Castle Douglas for the event.
Mark and Shel have been several times in the past, but it was the first visit for Cass and Ruth, but I’m sure it won’t be there last.
The entry this year was the highest they have ever had, almost 400 archers, even with five archers on each target, two extra targets were needed to make room for everyone.
On Saturday, the first day starts with registration from 8:30 to 9:30, everybody who has ever been to an NFAS field shoot, knows that the lead out to the targets is soon after 10:00. For a champs, the atmosphere is always very relaxed, so relaxed that we didn’t move till after 11:30.
There are two courses, both of which are set on a large wooded hill, shooting either A, or B course on Saturday and the other on Sunday. Both were very well laid out courses, nothing was made difficult by stretching the distances, mainly cleverly angled, or set to deceive you on its distance.
The wind was very strong and gusty on Saturday, with the temperature around zero. Our group started from the very top of the hill, which was one of the only exposed parts of the course. The wind was so strong here, that people were having great trouble keeping their arrows on the rest.
The snow fell on Saturday night, all the surrounding hills were white and luckily there was none on the course when we arrived.
Shooting wise, not all went to plan. Cass unfortunately had an asthma attack on the long walk up the hill on Saturday and was unable to shoot, Mark being a gentleman, stayed with her. Cass did shoot the second day, but Mark walked round with her. Ruth, after being disappointed by her score on Saturday, shot better by 100 points the next day, maybe it helps when you have your partner carry all you clutter for you.
Will we go again?…….. I think most of us have already booked our accommodation for next year.
Shel Cowles