Italian trio on top

The annual Malta International Grand Prix at the Bidnija ranges, organised by the Malta Shooting Federation, got underway yesterday with the participation of 65 participants, 24 of whom are foreigners.

After the opening 50 clays, from the 125+25 Trap competition, three shooters are jointly heading the leaderboard on 48 points. These are Italians Giuseppe Andretti, Ugo Procacci and Lorenzo Gasperini.

Malta's top shooter in the provisional list is Paul Camilleri with 47 hits after rounds of 23 and 24. He is fourth followed by nine other competitors, including Horace Micallef, Stephen Vella, Frans Pace, George Grech, Joe Attard, John Marmara and Nazzareno Attard, all on the 46-point mark.

There were two straights yesterday, one targetted by Nazzareno Attard and the other by Andretti in the second round.

Another two 25-clay rounds will be shot today with the finale reserved for tomorrow when shooters will tackle the last 25 clays before the barrage final.