John Whidden Wins Queen’s Prize Match at World Championships
Our friend John Whidden accomplished another milestone in his storied shooting career. This time John topped an extremely competitive field of Palma shooters at the World Rifle Championships in Australia. Earlier today Whidden nailed a 100-13V on the final day of the Queen’s Prize Match to win the three-day event with a 399-46V Aggregate. (A “V” is equivalent to the “X” in American matches). John’s Day 1 score of 150-012V and Day 2 tally of 149-21V were enough to overtake early Palma Teammate Norman Anderson, and hold off the strong-finishing SGT Sherri Gallagher on Day 3.
When the dust had settled, John took the Queen’s Prize Match by a single point over runner-up Sherri Gallagher. In fact, Sherri and the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-place finishers all had identical 398 scores, so V-counts were used as tie-breakers. Yes this match was that close.
By tradition, fellow competitors carried Whidden and his green John Deere-sashed rifle to the awards in a ceremonial sedan-chair. John seems to be enjoying the ride. The above photo was taken by fellow Palma Teammate Dave Cloft. Overall, Americans did very well in the Queen’s Prize Match, taking four of the Top 10 places. South Africa, a strong force at the last World Championship, had three shooters in the Top 10. Here’s how the Top 10 finished in the Queens Match:
1. John Whidden, USA: 399-046V
2. Sherri Gallagher, USA: 398-054V
3. Jim Bailey, Australia: 398-044V
4. Petrus Haasbroek, South Africa: 398-043V
5. Norm Anderson, USA: 398-043V
6. Colin Cole, North Arm: 398-039V
7. Andre Du Toit, South Africa: 397-048V
8. Johannes Du Toit, South Africa: 397-048V
9. Geoffrey Grenfell, Bendigo: 397-048V
10. Tom Whitaker, USA: 397-047V
It looks like the Yanks are picking up steam in the World Rifle Championships, which continue with both individual and team events through October 22nd. (We’ll have a report on the hot-shooting USA Young Eagles team tomorrow.)
Story by Lars Dalseide for The NRA Blog.Similar Posts:
- Britain’s Richard Jeens Wins World Long Range Rifle Title
- Sherri Gallagher Wins NRA Long Range Championship
- Great Britain Wins 2011 Palma Match at World Championships
- Tight Race for NRA Long-Range Championship
- U.S. Palma Team Homeward Bound from Australia
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Tags: Australia, Brisbane, John Whidden, Palma, Prone, Queen's Prize, USA, World Rifle Championship
Great job John,
It’s good to see you do so well on an international venue! Keep it up through the team events and bring home a World Championship! We’re pulling for you!
Your buddy,
Tom
Joh has every right and reason to be enjoying the ride! He’s a World Class shooter in every way, a fine fellow and extraordinary gunsmith as well.
Not only is he a World Class Rifleman, he is a great husband and father — and I don’t know a better man.
Keep it up John and favor center during the Palma.
Jim Hardy
Well done to John, Sherri and the rest of the competitors!! Best wishes on the balance of the match.
Adam Braverman
Great shooting John. Maybe you can get the Queen to ride in your John Deere.
Nat Lambeth