Day one: The most important day of Smallbore

Today marks the start of the 2008 Smallbore phase of the NRA National Rifle and Pistol Championships. First up is 3-Position. The National Championship is up for grabs as 2007 Champion Sgt Shane M. Barnhart will not be competing this year as well as perennial favorite Maj Michael E. Anti. Both men are part of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).

Last year the USAMU pretty much owned Smallbore in both the 3-P and the always grueling prone phase. This year, however, will be anyone’s guess. Many of the current Olympic athletes compete in the Smallbore phase at Perry during off Olympic years.

This year, of course, they’re focused on bringing home the gold and representing our country on the international stage. So, again, it’s pretty much anybody’s game.

During our staff meeting this morning, Smallbore Rifle Match Director and Manager of the Rifle Department back at NRA headquarters H.Q. Moody summed up today pretty well. “This might be the most important day of the smallbore phase because today sets the tone of the matches.”

As for the schedule for today: today is the practice day for the competitors and the training day for the volunteers. Volunteers are extremely important because with out them then the matches wouldn’t be able to take place. There's also the Smallbore Coach School this evening.

Below are some of the photos from the training day. The practice day for the competitors starts in a few minutes.