The 2009 FITASC World Sporting Championship (officially celebrated as the 31st World FITASC Championships and incorporating the prestigious Finale of the World Cup) was the absolute pinnacle international event for clay target shooting of the 2009 season. Staged from November 19th to November 22nd, 2009, this world-class, four-day championship gathered the finest marksmen, national teams, and Olympic-level shooters from across the globe to compete for ultimate world titles in the main Sporting discipline (Parcours de chasse). The tournament was proudly hosted at the world-renowned Laang Sporting Clay Range near Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Event Highlights & Structural Parameters

Operating under the highest international framework of global target sports, this historic world championship paired Australia’s legendary outdoor heritage with strict international regulations:

Sanctioning Architecture: The competition operated under the direct international authority of FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse) in coordination with Sporting Clays Australia (SCA), certifying that all multi-field course configurations, target trajectories, and weapon compliance parameters conformed to strict tier-1 world standards.
The Ultimate Global Crown: Functioning as the definitive grand finale of the 2009 World Cup, this championship aggregated selection match scores from around the globe to crown the overall seasonal cup champions in individual and team divisions.
Historic Victory: The 2009 tournament is highly celebrated in Australian shooting history, as Damien Birgan of Australia rose to become the overall Individual Open World Champion, securing Australia's first-ever world title in this elite category.
Scenic Bushwood Terrain: The championship layouts utilized the rugged, natural gum tree forests and creek lines of the Laang range to deliver exceptionally demanding, realistic hunting simulations with diverse target angles, speed changes, and deceptive lighting.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The high-stakes championship timeline allocated an extensive target menu distributed across a multi-day international schedule:

November 16th – November 18th (Monday – Wednesday): Arrival of international delegations, national squad checking, official shooter check-in, weapon compliance safety verifications, and open training lines on designated sporting tracks.
November 19th (Thursday) — Championship Day One: Phase 1 of the official World Championship begins across specialized layouts designed to test precision and adaptation.
November 20th – November 21st (Friday – Saturday): Middle qualification stages, testing long-range target tracking, mental stamina, and technical consistency under severe tournament pressure.
November 22nd (Sunday) — Championship Final Day: Concluding qualification flights, followed immediately by high-stakes sudden-death international tie-breaking shoot-offs (barrages) to determine the definitive podium positions.
November 22nd (Sunday) — Official Closing & Awards Ceremony: Staged late Sunday afternoon to honor individual, category, and national team winners, officially crowning the 2009 World Sporting Champions and finalizing the World Cup standings.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All championship rotations, multi-stand layouts, and administrative offices were hosted at a premier, fully equipped Australian target facility:

Host Venue:

Laang Sporting Clay Range (Laang Sporting Clays)

Laang, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia

Located in the scenic Western District of Victoria, just inland from the historic coastal city of Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road, the Laang range is widely regarded as one of the finest natural terrain facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. Featuring a mixture of open grassy plains and dense eucalyptus bushland, it offered the perfect topography for a rigorous, world-class test of skill.

3. Organizing Committee & Registration Framework

Administrative operations and international competitor registries followed strict timeline allocations managed entirely through the global governing body:

International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)
National Organizing Body: Sporting Clays Australia (SCA)

Shooting Ground

Laang Sporting Clays

Laang , Australia

Laang Sporting Clays, also known as the Warrnambool Range, is a premier, shotgun-only shooting facility managed by the Warrnambool Branch of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA Victoria). Located in the picturesque forested region of Laang, Victoria, it stands as one of Australia's most respected venues for sporting clays and compak sporting. The facility provides an inviting, highly secure environment that accommodates everyone from complete novices to elite international competitors.

The defining "signature" of the Laang range is its integration with the dense, natural forested valley terrain. This undulating topography allows target setters to utilize natural elevations, creating incredibly realistic, three-dimensional target trajectories among the trees. Additionally, the low-lying valley microclimate often introduces cool, misty morning conditions. Without wind, powder smoke tends to linger within the tree line, creating a unique visual challenge that tests a shooter's focus and rapid target acquisition.

Technically, the complex is exceptionally well-equipped, featuring cutting-edge automatic clay traps from top global brands like Promatic and La Porte. Laang proudly holds the distinction of being the first club in Australia to acquire and implement the Promatic "Moorhen" automatic trap. On-site amenities include a modern, comfortable clubhouse featuring electrical power, running water, heating, and air conditioning. To maximize competitor comfort during major events, the organizers provide shelters, seating, and mobile toilets at every range, while its smart layout allows shooters to drive their personal vehicles directly to each shooting station.

Collaborating closely with Sporting Clays Australia (SCA), Laang is a celebrated host of top-tier championships, including the FITASC Australian Grand Prix, Compak Nationals, and VSCA State Titles. The technical design of these courses is supervised by Stephen Chilton, the National Target Director Specialist and SCA Target Shooting Director, ensuring that target presentations are world-class. These elite courses are meticulously balanced to ensure that shooters of all grades are fairly challenged and thoroughly entertained.

The versatility of the Laang range makes it highly appealing to a broad demographic of shooting sports enthusiasts. The club effectively caters to several distinct groups:

Novices and Juniors: Benefit from highly structured safety inductions, supportive coaching, and subsidized or free competition entries to foster youth development.
Sporting Marksmen: Gain access to complex, masterfully designed layouts throwing at least 30% "exotics" like Rabbits, Battues, Midis (90mm), Minis (70mm), Super Minis (60mm), and Rockets to hone their skills.
Teams and Schools: Regularly utilize the venue for regional inter-school clay target competitions, promoting team building and sportsmanship.
Corporate Groups: Can arrange tailored corporate packages, combining clay shooting under expert guidance with full event catering.

Key Features & Advantages

Immersive Topography: Natural valley and dense forest provide realistic hunting simulations and complex target angles.
Advanced Automation: First-class Promatic and La Porte traps, including the innovative "Moorhen" trap, ensure exceptional reliability and variety.
Premium Amenities: Fully conditioned clubrooms with electricity and running water, plus specialized on-range shelters and seating during big events.
Seamless Logistics: Shooters can drive personal vehicles directly to each range, eliminating the need for bus transfers.
Elite Course Design: Targeted menus crafted by SCA National Target Director Stephen Chilton ensure optimal grading difficulty.

Hours of Operation

General Practice & Shoots: First Sunday of every month, starting from 10:00 AM onwards.
Major Tournament Days: As scheduled per the Sporting Clays Australia calendar (typically starting at 8:15 AM or 9:00 AM depending on the event format).
Monday – Saturday: Closed for general public access (except for scheduled regional championships, multi-day national events, or pre-arranged corporate/group bookings).

Laang VIC 3265, Australia

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Website

scalivescores.com.au