The 46th F.I.T.A.S.C. European Sporting Championship, running concurrently with the definitive European Cup Final of the Beretta FITASC Cups circuit, was the absolute pinnacle regional clay target shooting tournament for the Sporting discipline (Parcours de chasse) in 2013. Staged from May 23rd to May 26th, 2013, this historic continental milestone brought together elite marksmen from across Europe to compete at the world-class installations of Konopiště, Czech Republic.

Event Highlights & Visual Analysis

Based on the official event poster and championship literature, the tournament identity paired institutional backing with elite industrial alignment:

Graphic Device & Color Palette: The poster features a clean forest green background overlaid with minimalist white target concentric rings on the top right. This deep green visual palette directly mirrors the natural woodland setting where the competitive fields were constructed.
Sanctioning Architecture: The upper portion highlights the definitive Beretta FITASC Cups seal alongside the official circular globe logo of FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse). It also incorporates official stamps from the local hosting entities, including Lesy ČR (Forest of the Czech Republic) and the national shooting federation, ASAT.
On-Field Action Motifs: The left side presents two candid action photographs of international shooter squads tracking targets at open field stands. The bottom right layout showcases a large high-contrast landscape photograph of a marksman tracking an overhead target, with the historic towers of the Konopiště Castle rising above the dense treeline in the background.
Premium Commercial Partners: The poster displays strong commercial backing from world-renowned hunting and ammunition brands, showcasing official corporate icons for Beretta, Krieghoff, Browning, Blaser, Hull Cartridge, and automated trap mechanics leader Promatic.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The extensive seven-day championship structure distributed a demanding 200-target qualification course across an advanced multi-field woodland landscape:

May 20th (Monday): Arrival of Delegations & Practice Rotations | 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm (1pm - 6pm)
May 21st (Tuesday): Mandatory Equipment Checks & Practice Rotations | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (9am - 6pm)
May 22nd (Wednesday): Final Official Practice Rotations | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (9am - 6pm)
May 22nd (Wednesday): Official Opening Ceremony | Beginning at 5:30 pm (5.30pm) at the historic Konopiště Castle complex (located 1km from Benešov).
May 23rd (Thursday): Championship Tournament – Day 1 | Qualification flights open from 9:00 am (as from 9am).
May 24th (Friday): Championship Tournament – Day 2 | Qualification flights open from 9:00 am (as from 9am).
May 25th (Saturday): Championship Tournament – Day 3 | Qualification flights open from 9:00 am (as from 9am).
May 26th (Sunday): Championship Tournament – Final Day | Qualification flights open early from 8:00 am (as from 8am), followed immediately by international tie-breaking shoot-offs.
May 26th (Sunday): Official Prize Awarding and Closing Ceremony | Concluding late afternoon at the pavilion to crown the European Champions.

2. Registration Fees & Categories

Championship tournament entry fees were processed in European currency (€) under the following designated competitive structures:

€. 250,00 – Individual entry fee for Senior, Lady, Veteran, and Super-Veteran categories.
€. 115,00 – Individual entry fee for the Junior category.
€. 95,00 – Registration fee for an official National Team.

3. Technical Course Infrastructure

The technical architecture of the 2013 course was curated to test the limits of tracking accuracy and reflex speed:

Course Design: Engineered by the Official FITASC Course Designer, Mr. M. Graham Brown.
Field Configuration: The European Championship uniquely utilized 8 high-performance layout lines with 32 distinct shooting stands, built directly within the natural, dense cover of the local pheasantry.

4. Venue & Organizing Committee Contact Information

Host Facility Address: Forest of the Czech Republic, State Enterprise Forest Plant Konopiště Želetinka 12, Benešov 256 01, Czech Republic

The executive coordination team responsible for international competitor registries, gun import processing, and administrative support maintained the following lines:

Primary Administrative Hotline (Mrs. Sedlačková): +420 728 367 853
Central Facility Fax: +420 317 722 375
Dedicated Operations Email: me2013.lz6@lesycr.cz

Shooting Ground

Střelnice Vráž

Ostředek, Czech Republic

Střelnice Vráž is an elite, world-class shooting facility established in 1999, sprawling across 150 hectares of mature forest near Konopiště Castle, approximately 30 kilometers from Prague along the D1 highway. Owned and operated by the state-owned enterprise Lesy České republiky (specifically the Konopiště Forest District), this unique complex was built completely from scratch, blending seamlessly into the natural forest landscape. It serves as a premier venue for sporting clays, hunting parkour, and a variety of other shooting sports, making it highly attractive to both international competitors and recreational shooters.

The facility features up to 20 dedicated shooting stations designed to replicate realistic hunting scenarios, boasting over 120 advanced clay target throwers from industry leaders Laporte and Promatic. Alongside its flagship hunting parkour (Lovecký parkúr) and American Trap disciplines, the shooting range offers diverse shooting activities to accommodate various skill levels. These include:

Hunting Parkour: Clay shooting simulating wild game with specialized midi, mini, duck, and hare targets.
American Trap: Semicircular clay layout recommended primarily for licensed, experienced shooters.
Rifle & Pistol Stands: Covered stations for.22 caliber rimfire rifles aiming at running boars (25m) or stationary roe deer (50m), alongside Olympic air pistols (10m).
Alternative Activities: Rapid-fire GAMO Hunter air rifles on falling mouse targets (10m), precision crossbow shooting (25–35m), and double-bitted axe throwing.

Technologically, Střelnice Vráž is equipped with the latest Multipull automated systems for precise target management and flawless flight trajectories. The range is home to the highly acclaimed Matthews Arena Shooting School, founded by Filip Matějů—a world-class athlete ranked 27th in the FFWR and holder of the Czech national sporting record of 197/200. Under his supervision and the on-site management of supervisor Přemysl Macl—a junior national record holder in rifle shooting—shooters receive professional instruction tailored to their individual needs, from absolute beginners without a license to national teams.

The complex has a rich history of hosting prestigious tournaments, including the European Championship in Sporting Clays, the FITASC Czech Grand Prix (Grand Prix Prague), and national ČMMJ championships. Beyond official sports, the venue is a dominant operator of corporate and team-building events, hosting between 60 and 80 large-scale commercial sessions annually, primarily from April through October. These custom corporate programs offer complete tournament organization, computerized scoring, custom diplomas, and professional staff support across all disciplines.

To complement its world-class shooting setups, Střelnice Vráž features an outstanding leisure infrastructure centered around the Kulturní centrum Vráž. This central hub includes a barrier-free restaurant and bar with an indoor capacity of 100 people, connected to a spacious wooden gazebo accommodating another 100 guests for outdoor barbecues and catering. For larger events, an additional outdoor seating area for 150 people is available, supported by a massive parking infrastructure split across three zones with a total capacity of up to 500 vehicles.

Key Highlights & Advantages

Spectacular Wilderness Setting: Built in a massive 150-hectare dense forest, offering highly realistic and unpredictable flight windows.
Unrivaled Technology: Automated target releases powered by over 120 Laporte and Promatic machines and Multipull technology.
Champion-Led Training: Coaching programs led by elite national champions and record holders.
Full Accessibility & Comfort: Wheelchair-accessible infrastructure, private dining, outdoor catering, and shuttle transit during massive tournaments.

Address & Contacts

Location: Vráž, 257 24 Ostředek, Czech Republic
GPS Coordinates: N49°51'09.5" E14°48'25.2"
Contact (Training/Stands): Přemysl Macl (premysl.macl@lesycr.cz | +420 606 098 057)

Operating Hours

Shooting Season: March 4th – October 14th
Tuesday: 15:00 – 18:00 (Dedicated Training & Coaching)
Wednesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00 (Open dynamically based on scheduled events, corporate bookings, and public matches)
Monday: Closed

Vráž, 257 24 Ostředek, Czech Republic

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Website

European Championship Finale of European Cup - Sporting - Czechia (May 2013)

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Incorporating the Beretta FITASC Cup - European Cup Final