McLaren shooting for elusive gold

Masterton Rifle Club stalwart John McLaren is hoping to continue a remarkable record when he and clubmate Owen Whiteman are part of the New Zealand team which contests the world rifle shooting championships in Ottawa, Canada late next week.
It will be the eighth world championships for McLaren and six times he has come away with a medal from the teams' shoot, one silver and five bronze.
"Second or third is great but it would be nice to get that gold medal for a change," he said yesterday.
With variables like the elements, especially the wind, playing such a big part in rifle shooting, McLaren knows predicting likely results is a hazardous business but he does believe New Zealand have the talent to be serious contenders for the major spoils.
He is encouraged by the fact their gear and specially-made ammunition has already arrived in Canada and expects his team to be well served in that respect.
"The planning has been thorough and we are ready to go, there shouldn't be too many excuses for not doing well," he said.
Events in both the individual and team shoots at the world championships and at the Canada nationals which precede it will be shot over three distances, 800yds, 900yds and 1000yds, and when you consider the targets are only the size of an ordinary bread and better plate it is easy to understand why windy conditions are a shooter's worst enemy.
"Knowing the strength of the wind and the direction from which it is blowing is crucial, if you get it wrong there you basically blow your chances," McLaren said.
"It certainly helps to have Lady Luck on your side when you pull the trigger."
Each team consists of 25 shooters, 16 of whom actually shoot in groups of four with each group having their own particular coach.They are, in turn, co-ordinated by a masters coach and that's the role McLaren will fill.
"Our job is to ensure that the coaches are provided with the right information for the shooters, it can be pretty complex at times," McLaren said.