COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (June 5, 2018)
Twelve USA Shooting shotgun athletes have descended on the Mediterranean island nation of Malta for the penultimate International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup of the season starting today through June 15 at the Ta’ Kandja Shooting Complex in Siggiewi, Malta.
Shotgun has earned all the medals for the United States on the World Cup circuit this year, amassing nine over the past two Cups (six in Guadalajara, Mexico and three in Changwon, South Korea). The U.S. competitors in Malta will look to build on their success as they work toward the ISSF World Championship in August 31 – September 14 in Changwon. At this World Cup, look for Kim Rhode (El Monte, California, pictured) and Vincent Hancock (Eatonton, Georgia) to continue their winning ways as the both claimed gold at both previous World Cups in Women’s and Men’s Skeet respectively. In the previous World Cup in Changwon, Rhode bested the World Record she set in Guadalajara by two hits to set a Finals World Record of 58/60 targets.
Rhode will be joined by her World Championship teammates Caitlin Connor (Winnfield, Louisiana) and Amber English (Colorado Springs, Colorado) in the Women’s Skeet competition. Connor and English have each won a medal on the World Cup circuit this year, Connor silver in Guadalajara and English bronze in Changwon.
On the men’s side, Hancock is joined by his two-time Olympic teammate Frank Thompson (Alliance, Nebraska) who finished in fifth place at the Guadalajara and Phillip Jungman (U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit/Caldwell, Texas).
In Women’s Trap, Guadalajara medalists Ashley Carroll (gold, Solvang, California) and Aeriel Skinner (bronze in the individual event and Mixed Trap Team, Jackson, California) will
