Chetcuti, Xuereb head to US

Double trap shooters William Chetcuti and Nathan Lee Xuereb left Malta for the United States yesterday ahead of their participation in an ISSF World Cup shoot.

A total of 250 shooters from 43 countries will compete in the double trap, trap and skeet events in Tucson, Arizona.

National coach Jimmy Bugeja is accompanying the Maltese duo who will be in action on Wednesday when the first three 50-clay rounds of the double trap are held. The leading six shooters will contest the barrage in the afternoon.

After the US event, Chetcuti and Xuereb will travel to England to take part in the London Pre-Olympics shoot in the third week of April before returning home for the Malta International Double Trap GP on April 29.

A host of world-class shooters, including former Olympic medallists like Daniele Di Spigno, Francesco D’Aniello, Italy’s national squad and Swede Hakan Dahlby, have confirmed their participation for the Malta GP.

In the first week of May, the Maltese shooters will head to Italy for another ISSF World Cup shoot in Lonato and the climax will be reached on August 2 when Chetcuti competes in the double trap event at the London Games.