A happy bunch of Jamaican shooters returned to the island earlier this week after producing some creditable performances at the Krieghoff Sporting Clays Classic at the South Florida Gun Cub.

Several shooters in the 15-member team secured podium finishes in various shooting categories, including the 200-bird main event, the preliminary round 100-bird, FITASC 100-bird, Five-Stand 100-bird and the 50-bird Super Sporting.

The Krieghoff Classic is a premier shooting competition that serves as a season opener in the United States and attracts hundreds of top-notch shooters from around the world.

Craig Simpson was the best ranked Jamaican in the main event of the tournament, placing 15th overall in the Master Class section of the Main Event 200-Bird sporting clays.

He ended with scores of 88 and 86 for a combined total of 174 and was very pleased with his performance.

“It was very cold at the beginning but got warmer as the competition continued and this made it easier for us Jamaican shooters,” Simpson shared.

Kevin Demchiel of the US shot 194 out of 200-birds in the Main Event, ending with the highest overall score and the tournament crown after posting 97 and 97 over two days.

Jamaica’s Bruce DuQuesnay was second in the AA class after posting scores of 83 and 82 respectively, while Ray McMaster was also second in the A class with scores of 68 and 85. Richard Azan (78 and 75) had to settle for third spot after suffering defeat to McMaster in a shoot-off.

Richard DuQuesnay posted scores of 71 and 67 to take third spot in the C class.

The lone female shooter, Wendy McMaster, took the third spot in D class after edging 14-year-old compatriot Jonathan Ralston in a shoot-off after both had a two-day combined score of 130 hits.

The Preliminary Round 100-bird also saw a number of Jamaica’s shooters getting on the podium as well, with Bruce DuQuesnay finishing tops in the AA Class with a score of 88, while Leighton Sasso (84) placed second.

Dale Delapenha (74) placed third in the C Class, with compatriots Dominic Simpson (67) and Ralston (64), placing first and third, respectively, in D class.

In the FITASC 100-Bird, Ray McMaster, who shot 82 to top Class A, was pleased with his showing.

“I always look forward to competing at the US tournaments because I gain valuable experience that helps to improve my overall shooting skills,” McMaster noted.

Richard DuQuesnay (70) placed second in Class C with Dominic Simpson (67) placing second in the D class, while Wendy McMaster (65) had to settle for fourth spot.

Meanwhile, the Five-Stand brought even more success for the Jamaicans with Bryan Chung (76), placing third in the B class and Ralston (76) topping the D class ahead of Wendy McMaster (70).

Leighton Sasso finished tops in the AA class of the Super Sporting, taking down 42 of the 50 targets with Jordan Samuda (40), placing second in B class and Dale Delapenha (38) also placing second in C class.

Wendy McMaster (34) ended the tournament in the top spot in D class.