The 2011 FITASC Compak Sporting Grand Prix of Portugal was a premier international clay target shooting competition held on April 2nd and 3rd, 2011. Serving as a major early-spring fixture on the European competitive shooting calendar, this prestigious two-day tournament gathered elite domestic and international marksmen to vie for Grand Prix honors in the Compak Sporting discipline. The championship was proudly hosted at the historic and highly capable facilities of the Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos in Guifões, Matosinhos, Portugal.

Event Highlights & Operational Parameters

Operating under the official international framework of the 2011 global tournament calendar, this Grand Prix combined Portugal’s rich clay shooting culture 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), certifying that all multi-field layouts, target flight paths, and weapon compliance parameters conformed to strict global tier-1 standards.
Global Ranking Value: Staged as an active, point-scoring qualification match, this event functioned as a critical early-season leg for athletes accumulating points toward the annual international Beretta FITASC Cups circuit and the worldwide ranking standings.
The Coastal Challenge: Located in the coastal municipality of Matosinhos (near Porto), the venue subjected competitors to variable sea breezes and changing coastal light profiles, adding an exciting layer of natural difficulty to the rapid target presentations.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The tournament operational timeline concentrated the technical qualification rounds across an intensive two-day weekend schedule, preceded by official preparation windows:

March 31st – April 1st (Thursday – Friday): Arrival of international and domestic delegations, squadding confirmation, official shooter check-in, weapon safety compliance verifications, and the opening of warm-up training lines on the designated Compak layouts.
April 2nd (Saturday) — Grand Prix Day One: Phase 1 of the official qualification flights opens across specialized multi-stand layouts, challenging shooters with diverse target trajectories, speeds, and vertical angles.
April 3rd (Sunday) — Grand Prix Final Day: Concluding qualification flights, followed immediately by international sudden-death tie-breaking shoot-offs (barrages) to determine the definitive individual and category podium positions.
April 3rd (Sunday) — Official Awards and Closing Ceremony: Staged late Sunday afternoon to honor individual, category, and national team winners.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All local operations, specialized shooting tracks, and official administrative offices were hosted at a classic and highly regarded Portuguese shooting club:

Host Venue: Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos Monte Castelo, 4460-057 Guifões, Portugal

The Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos is widely recognized for its well-maintained installations and competitive layouts. Situated just north of the major metropolitan and historic hub of Porto, the venue offers easy logistical transit for international athletes arriving via Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO).

3. Organizing Committee Contact Framework

The administrative desk responsible for competitor registry validation, international squad placements, ammunition logistics, and processing necessary Portuguese firearm customs declarations maintained the following direct communication channels:

Primary Facility Telephone Support: +351 229 511 603

Administrative Fax Line: +351 229 534 801

Primary Communications Email: clube_cacadores_matosinhos@live.com.pt

International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)

Shooting Ground

Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos

Guifões, Portugal

The Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos (CCM) is a premier sporting and social institution located in Guifões, Matosinhos, just minutes away from the city of Porto. With a history spanning over a century (founded in 1902), the club has evolved from a traditional hunting association into a modern, high-performance shooting complex. It serves as a vital hub for both the regional hunting community and elite international athletes, offering a functional and scenic environment integrated into the historic archaeological site of Monte Castêlo.

The facility’s competitive standing is exceptional, as it is a frequent host for prestigious national and international tournaments. Significant fixtures include the GP FITASC Compak Sporting, the National Helice (ZZ Bird) Championship, and various stages of the Northern Regional Universal Trench (Fosso Universal) championships. The club’s "Jorge Maia" stand is the epicenter of these events, providing the technical infrastructure required to support high-volume, world-class competition across multiple shotgun disciplines.

Technically, the club features four versatile shooting fields equipped with industrial-grade Nasta and Laporte throwing machines. To ensure competitive precision, the facility utilizes advanced electric microphone systems for voice-activated target releases. This setup allows for complex sequences and diverse target trajectories, effectively simulating various hunting scenarios for Sporting and Compak Sporting practitioners while maintaining the rigorous accuracy needed for Olympic-style trench formats.

Beyond sports, CCM is a major social and gastronomic landmark in the region. The on-site "Clube de Caçadores" restaurant is famous throughout northern Portugal for its authentic wood-fired oven specialties, particularly its traditional francesinha. This unique blend of elite sport and high-quality hospitality makes the club an ideal destination for families and corporate groups looking for a tranquil retreat that combines athletic challenge with a premium dining experience.

The club maintains a strong commitment to professional development and the future of the sport. It operates a structured youth training program (formação desportiva) supported by municipal initiatives, providing qualified technical coaching to a growing number of young practitioners. This professional approach, combined with unbeatable logistics—situated just 6km from Porto International Airport—makes CCM a preferred training base for international teams and individual shooters traveling to Portugal.

Competitive Specialization & Events

International Tournament Host: Confirmed venue for GP FITASC Compak Sporting and national Hélices (ZZ Bird) championships.
Regional Hub: Primary site for the Northern Regional Universal Trench (Fosso Universal) circuits.
Elite Training Base: Professional environment used by European absolute champions and national team members.
Multi-Discipline Formats: Regularly hosts "Atirador Completo" events, combining 25 Trench, 25 Compak, and 10 Helice targets.

Infrastructure & Technical Profile

Four Specialized Fields: Multi-purpose ranges supporting Fosso Universal, Compak Sporting, Tiro às Hélices, and ISSF Trench.
Advanced Target Systems: Utilization of Nasta and Laporte machines with voice-activated microphone release technology.
Professional On-site Hospitality: Full-service restaurant with a terrace, clubhouse, bar, and dedicated event spaces.
Strategic Logistics: Ample parking, proximity to several 4-star hotels (e.g., TRYP Porto Expo), and 5-minute taxi access from the airport.

Address

Clube de Caçadores de Matosinhos Lugar do Monte Castêlo, 4460-057 Guifões, Matosinhos, Portugal (Located 10 km from Porto and 6 km from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport)

R. Monte Castêlo, 4460-057 Guifões, Portugal

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Website

www.facebook.com/p/Clube-de-Ca%C3%A7adores-de-Matosinhos-Centen%C3%A1rio-1902-2002-100056738954730

Grand Prix of Portugal - Compak Sporting - Portugal (April 2011)

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