Airsoft Action - December 2023

SPECIAL REPORT
G&G CQB WORLD CUP 2023
Perhaps if the exact sequence was fixed, but
the start point within the order varied, it would
be more fair in avoiding some teams having more
advantageous presentations, but also prevent people
learning the sequence too much by rote to give an
advantage from that standpoint… such things are
always difficult to administer and plan for!
Ensuring that the rules are clearly stated, translated
and disseminated or presented is also a difficulty
which arose, with some queries being answered and
further clarifications being missed by the non-English
speaking teams to their confusion or detriment due
to conflicting ideas from other teams or decisions
being made after difficulties arose; again, planning
for all eventualities is a near impossibility, but simpler
rules which are more readily relayed in the various
languages present are of clear importance.
This year there were only the three active stages
involved, the 5x5 Target System Stage 1 with a shuttle
run required beforehand to raise exertion levels and
thus test the practitioner’s marksmanship under stress,
the Search and Destroy Stage 2 comprising 30 total
targets along all sides of a large rectangular arena
with various obstructions inside forcing the players
to move and shoot around them, and finally the
Multi-Compartment maze-like Stage 3 with various
shooting and obstacle challenges which had to be
dealt with sequentially and emphasised effective
planning, teamwork and communication as much as
the marksmanship aspect. This was all very exciting
to watch and allowed more focus than perhaps past
iterations which had as many as five different Stages
to deal with.
Some competitors felt that fewer stages and thus
moving parts or competition requirements was an
advantage allowing for greater concentration spread
over fewer challenges; however, some also pointed
out that a single bad run on any one stage constituted
more of a failing or negative outcome in your overall
score by proportion… fewer stages makes it easier to
administer, but also brings final scores closer together
and presents challenges in dealing with discrepancies,
reshoot requirements or penalties as any variance
makes a larger impact to final tallies of each team’s
overall performances.
Similarly the concept of players being able to
observe other team’s stages prior to making their own
attempts could be seen to cause some issues, with the
later-picked teams having a lot more opportunity to
learn from other players mistakes or successes; how
to strike the balance between everyone being able to
enjoy and support each other’s performances, without
giving unfair advantages to those who are selected
to compete later in the order? Answers on a postcard
please!
Regardless of all the challenges and issues which
arose, the sportsmanship, camaraderie and genuine
friendship and support shown by the competitors
“REGARDLESS OF ALL THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES WHICH AROSE, THE SPORTSMANSHIP,
CAMARADERIE AND GENUINE FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT SHOWN BY THE COMPETITORS
AMONG THEMSELVES REALLY CEMENTED THE BEST ASPECTS OF OUR BELOVED GAME”
92
DECEMBER 2023