NRA Journal - Summer 2003 - National Rifle Association

past pensionable age by now. Interesting to see how their Australia Match team will compare, in selectionterms, with their Palma Match team; must watch carefully.That said, a distinct threat to British hopes and expectations might have come from the Kiwis after theirperformances in the Australia Match in Perth, and bronze medal place in the last four Palma contests. Well,bang goes that theory. Sadly a large crack has appeared in the crystal spheroid with the news that NZ will notbe contesting the Palma, although they will probably have enough representatives for the Australia Match.No worries then about Kakapos in the heather.And then there is Canada. They have had such a miserable run of form away from home in recent years thatit is tempting to believe that it is far too late for them to produce a surprise victory. They have the talent andthe flair from which to select, but if selection is based solely on the finishing order in last year’s nationalchampionships, it may not be the recipe for the Palma. An unbiased observer might say that it would be goodfor shooting, and particularly Canadian shooting, for the Maple Leaf to be on the podium; perhaps they canmake a little luck of their own.So, who else is there? Continental Palma is a brave combination but is unlikely to pose much of a threat, northe separate German team or Kenya. To compound this sudden bout of pedidentology, the alliance of Jerseyand Guernsey might just produce an upset. They are no strangers to the Stickledown hill and frequently startwell. Their challenge will be to produce the stamina and the concentration for the two days at long range; ifthey can, they might be worth an each-way bet for an outsider’s place.So Simon, being as fair as I can I reckon it will end up as a tussle between the Brits and the Boks with perhapsthe USA taking the final podium place. Oh, you did not want to know that? Never mind, the observations arefreely dispensed, and even more freely dispensed with.All that remains is for me to wish you and your final gang good fortune, good weather and whatever windbest suits you. I reckon there are many others who will back me on that one. Have a hugely enjoyable time.Yours aye,T RexGlossary of TermsPalma – large town in tourist infested Balearic islandLong range – distance at which visitors remark “goodness, can you really hitthat from here?” and/or “which target?”Crystal balls – devices used by gurus to determine advice given to importantpeopleSelection – process by which some of those who feel they should be in the teamare shown the door, and by which the Captain adds to his own confusionP45 – Inland Revenue form handed to you as you take up your employer’soffer to allow you to develop your skills and career elsewhereCoach – quiet and unassuming individual despite whom the shootermay still make a good score, and who is responsible for every shotoutside the bullseye wherever it may strike the targetInternal politics – knowing you are right and everyone else is wrongStrategy – plan for getting to your objective despite internal politicsTheory – see internal politicsAnno domini – when even the range officers look younger than you feelPedidentology – from the latin pes (a foot), dens (a tooth), and ology(the art of putting the former in the orifice containing the latter).Kakapo – flightless, slow moving, but rather lovable, endangered NewZealand parrot. It is endangered because it is flightless, slow moving etc.Palma results (simplistic version)Year Place 1st 2nd 3rd 4th1982 Ottawa, Canada Can Aus NZ GB1985 Bisley, UK USA GB Aus Can1988 Malabar, Australia Aus GB NZ USA1992 Raton, America GB Can NZ Aus1995 Trentham, New Zealand GB USA NZ Aus1999 Bloemfontein, RSA RSA GB NZ Aus31