A SOUTH Tawton youngster shot her way to a gold medal for Great Britain in a Junior International Match at Bisley recently.
Eighteen-year-old Georgina Geikie, who shoots regularly for Okehampton Smallbore Club, was part of the Great Britain Junior Women?s team in the 10-metre Air Pistol event.
In the morning qualifying stage she scored 92, 87, 91 and 87 for a total of 373 out of a possible 400, two points behind the leader.
The top eight point scorers then had to shoot a grueling 10-shot Olympic-style final. Georgina started the final in style with a 10.6, and shot steadily to overhaul the leader, eventually finishing almost five points clear. When combined with her score from the heat, Georgina won by a clear 2.5 points.
This was the first time Georgina had ever represented Great Britain, which had been a long-held ambition for her. ?It was amazing. There was a big crowd and a large screen projecting all the scores. It was a bit nerve-racking but a lot of fun,? she said.
She hopes to join up with the Great Britain junior squad for their regular training weekends.
Having just finished her A-Levels at Okehampton College, Georgina will soon be taking up her place on a product design degree course at Cardiff University, where she hopes to continue her shooting.
Georgina first began shooting when she was taking part in tetrathlon and pentathlons with Mid-Devon Pony Club coached by Pip Bugg.
In the last two years she had become a member of Okehampton Smallbore Club and focussed on shooting, also she does still compete in modern pentathlon and tetrathlon events.
Georgina said she particularly wanted to thank Bernard and Yvonne Rendle of Okehampton Smallbore Club and Arthur Harvey for all their help in assisting her to develop her shooting skills. She also thanked Devon County Council, who awarded a grant to help her be able to compete at international standard.