How to win in the wind

Camp Perry Legend Nancy Tompkins was kind enough to give us some words of wisdom shortly after the conclusion of yesterday's shoot-off.

Her advice to competitors in these windy conditions:
"The wind has a big influence -- six minutes of wind at a thousand yards is 60 inches off the (target's) center -- and it's moving the rifles too. The wind comes in little gusts, not the steady hold you would normally have.

"When you shoot in this condition, make sure you have a good position. If your position is too high you're going to be moved around more in the wind. You know, like a building -- a tall building will sway more than a building that's close to the ground. You want to have a good solid position and ... just shoot!"

Did the shoot-off's results surprise Nancy?
"No. The quality of shooters on the line is amazing! John Whidden, who just won the Leech Cup, I shot with him in Canada last summer on the Palma team. The guy's a phenomenal shooter."