STRONG HOPES
Marksmen On Target (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) MEXICO CITY. The New Zealand smallbore riflemen, L R. Ballinger and S. Nairn, must have as strong a chance as anyone of taking home Olympic medals. This is not their prediction —they are too modest to make such forecasts —but it is clear from conversations with other riflemen that they regard the New Zealanders as among the toughest to beat in a field of more than 80. The team manager, Mr N. A. Rees, does not want to give scores at this stage, but over a 60-shot practice on the 50 metres range yesterday, neither dropped more than about 10 points and there were some very impressive groupings on their best targets. On the Olympic range, the New Zealanders at their only attempt have both scored possibles.
Ballinger and Naim have been working as hard as any riflemen here and are now well on top of the peculiarities of Mexico City weather. In the ratified atmosphere they cannot hold their breath as long as they normally do, and consequently have to get their shots away faster than at home. Also, there are tricky winds and yesterday a thick haze lay over the range. It is too early yet for the New Zealanders to get a firm line on their opposition but they have been impressed with the Russians.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31801, 4 October 1968, Page 13
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226STRONG HOPES Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31801, 4 October 1968, Page 13
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