Shooting Wire

FROSTPROOF, FLORIDA – In what is sure to be seen as an early prelude to the IPSC World Shoot, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Max Michel captured the coveted Open title at the 10th Annual Florida Open beating 93 other top shooters including three-time IPSC World Champion Eric Grauffel of France.

This marks the second time Michel has taken top honors in what many consider to be one of the most challenging matches on the Practical Shooting schedule. The last time he took first was in 2002. Michel has now finished in the top five in his last six Florida Open appearances making him one of the perennial favorites to win the match.

“The Florida Open is the only match held in the U.S. that truly prepares you for a world level shoot. Every course of fire is well designed and put together in an extremely professional manner. It is by far the most difficult match I shoot during the course of the season and that keeps me coming back year after year,” said Michel.

Michel dominated this year’s match, which was held February 8-10 at the Universal Shooting Academy located in Frostproof, Florida, by winning half of the 12 stages and finishing in the top three on all but one. Grauffel, who is recognized as one of the best competition shooters in the world, finished second with Chris Tilley of Apex, NC, coming in third. Over 270 competitors representing the U.S. and 10 other countries competed.

Michel will again face Grauffel at the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Shoot XV which will be held in Bali, Indonesia, October 19 through November 2, 2008. Michel was named to his fourth official U.S. World Shoot team in January and will be joined by Tilley as well as two of his USAMU teammates, KC Eusebio and Travis Tomasie.

“Taking the Open division championship was a huge accomplishment not only for me but for my peers as well. We now know that on any given day anyone can be beaten. Eric is an outstanding competitor and I know this loss will only drive him to work harder. That said, I am motivated more than ever and feel it is my duty to the Army and the Country to out-work my competitors between now and the World Shoot,” said Michel.