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Isle of Man team sets sights on Belmont

Mon, 26 Mar 2018

The first team to check its weapons into the Belmont Shooting Centre on last Sunday was Team Isle of Man.

Three shooters - David WALTON (men's trap), Gemma KERMODE and Rachel GLOVER (women's rifle) - viewed the ranges with manager Harry CREEVY.

The small group arrived in Australia on Tuesday and spent three days acclimatising on the Sunshine Coast, not touching their weapons.

"Our preparation is going well," said CREEVY. "The weather is different - two degrees to 28 degrees. Today is just to get organised."

The team deposited their firearms and ammunition and will check they are in fine working order on Monday, before starting training on Tuesday.

KERMODE is competing at her third Commonwealth Games, having appeared at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014, and is hoping for her first podium finish.

"I'm looking to make the final of the three positions and prone events, and I can't wait to get to the training range tomorrow (Monday)," she said. "I'm looking forward to getting outside into the warmth."

The 33-year-old trained indoors in preparation for GC2018 using the SCATT shooter training aid, an electronic tracking system that is attached to the weapon.

GLOVER, whose Commonwealth Games debut was four years ago, is chasing glory in the same events as KERMODE.

"Sunday before we left I was training in the snow and it was two degrees all winter. You get very, very cold," she said. "I changed my training schedule and this will be the first big competition (of the year)."

GLOVER is a former Great Britain No.1 and is hoping for a spot on the Great Britain team at the world championships in South Korea later this year.

Teammates Jake KEELING and Neil PARSONS joined the team later on Sunday, while star double trap competitor Tim KNEALE, who finished fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, will arrive on 31 March.

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