First gold to the USA

By: Mats Carlsson, PIC WMSC 2008. – 17 September 2008 kl: 09.14
Last updated: 8 July 2013 kl: 14.55
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The first gold medals in this year’s World Military Shooting Championships went to the USA. The US women’s team won the 50m rifle prone.  “This is great, we weren’t even medallists last year in India,” said Kelly Dove after hearing that they had won the gold.

The winning US team, left to right: Rhonda Bright, Kelly Dove och Nicole Cooper. Photo: Mats Engfors, PIC WMSC 2008
Bronze medallists Norway. Left to right: Kristina Vestveit, Gyda E Olssen, Hanne Skarpodde and team leader Stale Larsen.
Bronze medallists Norway. Left to right: Kristina Vestveit, Gyda E Olssen, Hanne Skarpodde and team leader Stale Larsen. Photo: Mats Engfors, PIC WMSC 2008

Besides Kelly Dove who scored 593 points, the winning US team comprised Nicole Cooper, 586 points and Rhonda Bright, the sharpest shooter in the team, on an excellent 596. The girls’ total score was 1,775, just two points ahead of Germany, and Norway came third on 1,768.
 “We didn’t think we’d be in the medals, so we’re thrilled with bronze,” said Gyda E Olssen in the Norwegian team.

Sweden surprise fourth
The women’s team from the host country, Sweden, did well and finished fourth; the team members were Linda Olofsson, Christina Bengtsson and Anna Norrman. Linda had the best Swedish score with 590 points, ahead of Anna on 586 and Christina on 585.
 “Fantastic, finishing fourth was a pretty big surprise. Of course, you always feel you could have scored a few more points, but we can be satisfied with this result, says Linda Olofsson.