Grand Prix of France - Compak Sporting - France (May 2008)

Registration closed

Compak-Sporting

1 targets

Participants

0 /17

Start

May 10, 2008, 02:00

Europe/Paris (UTC+2)

End

May 11, 2008, 02:00

Europe/Paris (UTC+2)

Until competition start

0 days

Location

Capvern, France

Status

Registration closed

Actions

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About competition

The 2008 FITASC Compak Sporting Grand Prix of France was a premier international clay target shooting tournament held on May 10th and May 11th, 2008. Staged as a cornerstone spring event on the European competitive shooting calendar, this prestigious two-day competition brought together the absolute elite of French marksmen and top-tier international squads to contest the high-speed, high-precision Compak Sporting discipline. The championship was proudly hosted at the exceptional, scenic facilities of the Ball-Trap Club de Capvern (BTC Capvern) in the Hautes-Pyrénées department (65) of southwestern France.

Event Highlights & Operational Parameters

Operating under the official international framework of the 2008 global tournament calendar, this Grand Prix combined the challenging mountainous terrain of the Pyrenees region with strict international sports regulations:

Sanctioning Architecture: The competition operated under the direct international authority of FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse), in close partnership with the Fédération Française de Ball-Trap (FFBT), certifying that all multi-field layouts, automated target flight paths, and weapon compliance parameters conformed to strict global tier-1 standards.
Global Cup Significance: Staged as an active, point-scoring qualification match, this Grand Prix functioned as a crucial continental leg for high-performance athletes accumulating points toward the annual international Beretta FITASC Cups circuit and the worldwide ranking standings.
The Pyrenean Foothills Challenge: Known as the Stand des Bandouliers, the host facility utilized its majestic rolling hills, lush woodlands, and steep valley drops to design highly technical layouts. Shifting mountain winds and variable mountain sunlight glares required rapid visual target acquisition and instant shot-to-shot adaptation from the international field.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The tournament operational timeline concentrated the intense technical qualification flights across the weekend, preceded by official preparation windows:

May 8th – May 9th (Thursday – Friday): Arrival of international and domestic delegations, squadding registry confirmation, firearm safety compliance verifications, and open training lines on designated Compak layouts.
May 10th (Saturday) — Grand Prix Day One: Phase 1 of the official qualification flights opens across specialized multi-stand layouts, challenging shooters with diverse target speeds, vertical angles, and trajectory patterns under variable spring skies.
May 11th (Sunday) — Grand Prix Final Day: Concluding qualification flights, followed immediately by high-stakes, sudden-death international tie-breaking shoot-offs (barrages) to determine the definitive individual and category podium positions.
May 11th (Sunday) — Official Awards and Closing Ceremony: Staged late Sunday afternoon at the main pavilion to honor individual, category, and national team winners, officially concluding the 2008 French Grand Prix.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All tournament operations, specialized shooting stands, and official administrative offices were hosted by a premier and exceptionally beautiful French shooting facility:

Host Venue:

Ball-Trap Club de Capvern (Stand des Bandouliers)

Route de la Barthe,

65130 Capvern-les-Bains, Occitanie, France

The Ball-Trap Club de Capvern is highly regarded among European target shooters for its technical complexity and magnificent location in the Pyrenean foothills. Equipped with numerous multi-discipline fields featuring robust automated trap launcher systems, the venue easily simulates highly challenging hunting scenarios. Accompanied by excellent regional infrastructure and renowned southwestern French hospitality, the complex provided a spectacular arena for global tournament play.

3. Organizing Committee & Registration Framework

The administrative operations and international competitor registries followed strict timeline allocations managed through the global governing body and its national affiliate:

National Coordinating Partner: Fédération Française de Ball-Trap (FFBT)
International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)

Shooting Ground

Ball-Trap Club Capvernois

Capvern, France

Ball-Trap Club Capvernois (BTC Capvern), also known historically as Stand des Bandouliers, is a premier clay target shooting facility located in the scenic mountain environment of Capvern-les-Bains in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France. The club has successfully transitioned from a historic regional competition venue into a dedicated, high-end training ground suitable for everyone from novices to seasoned marksmen. A key highlight of the club is its association with French shooting champion Matthieu Morali, whose involvement brings elite sporting expertise and professional hospitality services to the venue.

The facility boasts an impressive layout designed to accommodate multiple shooting styles simultaneously. Its rugged terrain and mountain climate create challenging wind currents, making target tracking both a thrilling and highly educational experience for shooters. The club features a total of 14 specialized shooting areas:

Universal Trench (FU): 3 stands

Down-The-Line (DTL): 1 stand

Sporting / Hunting Course (PC): 6 stands

Compak Sporting (CS): 4 stands

To preserve the local natural environment, BTC Capvern operates under strict ecological guidelines. All shooters are strictly required to use steel shot ammunition (bille d'acier) during training sessions, completely banning traditional lead cartridges on-site to protect the surrounding soil. Additionally, in line with modern zoning and environmental directives, official federated tournaments are no longer permitted, making the club a peaceful sanctuary focused purely on recreational shooting, hunter preparation, and private events.

Instruction at the stand is highly personalized, catering to diverse shooting groups. Beginners can learn basic safety and mounting techniques, while active competitors can refine their performance under the guidance of champion Matthieu Morali. The venue is particularly well-suited for:

Beginners & Novices: Acquiring foundational shooting skills in a safe, controlled environment.

Active Hunters: Off-season target practice simulating real game flights in forested terrain.

Corporate & Private Groups: Custom teambuilding days with premium catering and lodging options.

The club is equipped with excellent infrastructure to support comfortable day-long visits. It features a friendly clubhouse, an outdoor relaxation zone, and ample parking. Through associated commercial partnerships managed by Morali, the club can arrange customized catering, banquets, and local accommodation. Premium shooting accessories, such as Sellier & Bellot cartridges, are also available for purchase starting at €36.90 for a box of 250.

Chem. des Cibles, 65130 Capvern, France

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