Great Bits:
Doug Koenig wins European Bianchi Cup

Smith & Wesson Professional Shooter Doug Koenig was the overall winner at the European Bianchi Cup held in Philippsburg, Germany, August 11-12. The victory is Koenig’s second championship at the European Bianchi Cup.  With an overall score of 1920-185x, the win extends Koenig’s streak of consecutive 1920 (clean) scores since first competing in major Bianchi Cup matches ten years ago.
 
The European Bianchi Cup, conducted according to NRA Action Pistol rules, marks Koenig’s third major championship of the 2007 competition season. Koenig started the first day of competition with a perfect score of 480-48x at the Barricade Event. He posted a score of 480-47x at the Practical Event and went on to shoot a second perfect score of 480-48x at the Falling Plate Event.  The match concluded with the Moving Target Event, where Koenig fired a score of 480-42x and won the championship title.
 
“As it is in every match, weather conditions played an important factor,” said Koenig, who competed in one of the events during a sudden rainstorm. “The style and format of Bianchi stages require that shooters be error free and that they must constantly adapt to ever changing conditions. Being prepared and having the best equipment available are crucial, but in the end it comes down to each shooter’s ability to stay focused. I’m very pleased with my performance and look forward to defending my title next year.”
 
Koenig’s win in Germany follows two major victories of the season. In August he won the Masters International Shooting Championship in Barry, Illinois.  In May, Koenig captured his first title of the season at the NRA Bianchi Cup in Columbia, Missouri.