Erich Mietenkorte of Team Lapua swept the 2026 Lapua Super Shoot, prevailing over demanding conditions and staying focused from start to finish to win the Overall Aggregate, Hunter Rifle, and Standard Rifle championships, May 23–24.
The Lapua Super Shoot at Ridgway Rifle Club in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, once again lived up to its reputation as the most demanding smallbore silhouette match on the calendar. The format alone presents a significant challenge: competitors fire five matches with each rifle for a total of ten matches and 400 rounds over two days. Six matches are contested on one day and four on the other—equivalent to shooting an entire three-day National Championship in just two days.
Competitors engage steel silhouette targets—chickens at 40 meters, pigs at 60 meters, turkeys at 77 meters, and rams at 100 meters—all from the standing offhand position. While the course is already demanding under ideal conditions, this year's match introduced an added level of difficulty.
Mietenkorte, competing with Lapua Midas+ ammunition matched to his rifle at the Lapua Rimfire Performance Center in Mesa, Arizona, battled cold temperatures, rain, wind, and constantly shifting conditions that forced him—and every competitor—to earn every target. Conditions improved slightly on day two, offering calmer, more manageable weather and some relief for shooters.
Standing and shooting in cold, wet, and windy weather affects more than just bullet flight; it challenges a shooter's ability to maintain stability, physical comfort, and consistency over an extended course of fire. Throughout the weekend, mental focus and physical discipline proved just as critical as marksmanship fundamentals.
"As conditions became more difficult, I never had to question my ammunition," said Mietenkorte. "Having complete confidence that it would perform every time I pulled the trigger allowed me to focus entirely on reading conditions and executing shots. I also could not have done it without Lapua's Shane Barnhart behind the spotting scope. Shane did an outstanding job helping me stay on track throughout the weekend and making the right calls in some very tricky conditions."
Mietenkorte will compete next at the Iron Man Regional Championships in Missoula, Montana.
About Lapua: Lapua produces the highest quality small caliber cartridges and components for civilian and professional use. Lapua is imported by Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Lapua.com.