COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - It was a strong showing from all three of the American competitors in Women's Skeet as the U.S. took gold, bronze and fourth today at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final in New Delhi, India.
Kim Rhode (El Monte, California) successfully defended her World Cup Final title in world-class fashion, equaling the world record of 56/60 targets in the Final. Current Olympic Champion, Diana Bacosi of Italy, would also tie Rhode's score on her last target of the match. The gold medal was decided 22 targets later in a shootoff, with Rhode claiming her second World Cup Final title in a row. Today's win marks Rhode's third World Cup Final title in her career.
"A lot of things happened during this Final, but I think that's typical with any event," Rhode told the ISSF. "You just roll with the punches and hope for the best outcome… And this is the best outcome you can have! I couldn't be happier!"
Reigning World Champion Dania Vizzi (Odessa, Florida) hit 44/50 targets to claim the bronze medal.
Caitlin Connor (Winnfield, Louisiana) missed two targets at a crucial stage in the competition to be eliminated in fourth place. Connor also finished fourth in her other World Cup Finals appearances in 2012 and 2009.
Competition continues for the USA Shooting Team at the World Cup Final as Women's Air Rifle and Men's Skeet action start tomorrow. Olympic champion Ginny Thrasher (Springfield, Virginia) will look to build on her 2016 World Cup Finals appearance where she won bronze in the Women's Air Rifle event. Two-time Olympian Frank Thompson (Alliance, Nebraska) will represent the U.S. in Men's Skeet. Thompson won silver at the World Cup stage in Acapulco, Mexico.
The Trap Mixed Team of Ashley Carroll (Solvang, California) and Derek Haldeman (U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit/Sunbury, Ohio) won bronze yesterday at the World Cup Final in India. Read that recap: http://www.usashooting.org/news/2017/10/24/994-carroll-and-haldeman-win-bronze-at-world-cup-final------.
Read the World Cup Final Preview: http://www.usashooting.org/news/2017/10/20/993-ten-athletes-head-to-world-cup-final-in-india.
All Finals will be streamed live on the ISSF website, on the Federation's Livestream channel, on its page and on the Olympic Channel.
ISSF World Cup Final: Finals Schedule
All times are listed in Eastern Time. New Delhi is 10.5 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone
Thursday, October 26th: 10m Air Rifle Women at 2:30 a.m., Skeet Men at 5:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 28th: Trap Women at 5:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 29th: 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men at 12:45 a.m.
*Photo and editorial assistance provided by the ISSF
ELEY is a Proud Sponsor of the USA Shooting Rifle and Pistol Teams: ELEY Limited, manufacturer of the world's most consistently accurate rimfire ammunition, has been the Official Sponsor and Official Supplier of .22 rimfire ammunition of the USA Shooting rifle and pistol teams since 2000. For more information on ELEY and their products, please visit eley.co.uk.
Winchester Ammunition is a Proud Sponsor of the USA Shooting Shotgun Team: Winchester Ammunition has been the exclusive ammunition sponsor and supplier of the USA Shooting Shotgun Team since 1999. Members of the past three shotgun teams brought home a combined eight medals from Rio de Janeiro, London and Beijing using Winchester AA International Target loads. Winchester is an industry leader in advancing and supporting conservation, hunter education and our country's proud shooting sports heritage. For more information about Winchester and its complete line of products, visit winchester.com.
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Contact:
Jessica Delos Reyes
jessica.delosreyes@usashooting.org
USA Shooting
