The TAV San Martino is a highly specialized shooting complex, located among the picturesque hills of Rio Salso, Tavullia, in the Marche region, Central Italy. The facility stands out for its multifunctionality, boasting eight shooting ranges that cover all the main world disciplines of clay shooting. The complex positions itself as an elite preparation center, combining cutting-edge sports infrastructure with an innovative scientific methodological base, which includes high-level academic coaching. This approach makes the TAV San Martino an attractive place for organizing national competitions and training professional teams.
Positioning and Geography
Geographic and Sports Positioning
The TAV San Martino is located at Strada San Martino, 13A – 61010 Rio Salso Tavullia, in the province of Pesaro e Urbino, part of the Marche region. This position, far from urban noise, ensures ideal conditions for intensive training while maintaining convenient logistical accessibility. The proximity to the Adriatic coast and major tourist centers like Rimini and Riccione greatly simplifies accommodation for national and international teams.
The complex is situated at about 170 meters above sea level. This characteristic of the Marchean hilly terrain is crucial for sporting clay shooting (Sporting) training, as it naturally complicates the flight paths of the clays. Clays that appear or disappear against the background of the hilly landscape pose an additional challenge to athletes in assessing speed and distance, simulating real competition or hunting conditions.
Key Feature: Science-Based Preparation
The fundamental distinction of the TAV San Martino from other European shooting centers is its investment in a scientific approach to athlete preparation. The technical staff includes a specialist with a PhD, responsible for integrating advanced methodologies in sports psychology, optometry, functional preparation, and applied ballistics. This level of expertise transforms the facility from a simple range into a true sports science center, attracting elite athletes who seek to optimize their performance based on research data.
Shooting Infrastructure
The TAV San Martino boasts a powerful infrastructure consisting of eight shooting ranges, which allow for simultaneous training and competitions, covering virtually the entire spectrum of world clay shooting.
Ranges and Disciplines
The complex supports four key competitive disciplines:
Compak Sporting: It is the main orientation, supported on all 8 ranges. This ensures maximum flexibility for shooters preparing for FITASC competitions.
Olympic Trap: Supported on four ranges (Ranges 3, 4, 5, partially 2).
Universal Trench: Supported on three ranges (Ranges 3, 4, 5).
Skeet: Supported on Range 5.
Premium Equipment and Partnerships
The high status of the TAV San Martino is confirmed by partnerships with the world's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and equipment. The shooting ranges are named after these companies, indicating direct collaboration and the use of premium systems:
Firearms and Cartridges: The ranges bear the names of world giants such as BERETTA, BENELLI, FRANCHI (firearms) and FIOCCHI, RC (ammunition). This ensures that the infrastructure meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
Clay Launching Machines: The presence of the MATTARELLI range testifies to the use of high-quality Italian Mattarelli machines, a recognized standard for Olympic and sporting disciplines.
Unique Specialized Structures
To increase the difficulty of the training process and ensure spectacular shoot-offs, the facility is equipped with two fundamental unique elements:
SAN MARTINO TOWER: This tall tower is positioned between Ranges 3 and 4 and is intended for launching high-speed clays from great heights. The tower is used for practicing particularly difficult shots and for hosting decisive phases of competitions (pool and shoot-offs), requiring shooters to have maximum precision and quick reaction.
Compak Sporting Platform: It is an elevated platform 320 cm high on Range 5. It simulates typical mountain hunting conditions, where clays are launched from different levels and directions, creating unpredictable trajectories. It is an indispensable element for preparing sporting hunters.
Table 1: Specialization and Partnerships of TAV San Martino Shooting Ranges
Range No. | Name (Brand Partner) | Key Disciplines | Unique Features |
1 | EUROTARGET | Compak Sporting | Standard sporting format. |
2 | MATTARELLI | Compak Sporting, Trap 1 | Likely equipped with Mattarelli machines. |
3 | BERETTA | Olympic Trap, Universal Trench, Compak Sporting | Partnership with the firearms manufacturer. |
4 | JACK JONES | Olympic Trap, Universal Trench, Compak Sporting | Universal range. |
5 | BENELLI | Olympic Trap, Skeet, Compak Sporting | The only Skeet range; includes Compak Sporting Platform (elevated platform 3.2 m). |
6 | RC | Compak Sporting | Partnership with the cartridge manufacturer (RC). |
7 | FIOCCHI | Compak Sporting | Partnership with the cartridge manufacturer (Fiocchi). |
8 | FRANCHI | Compak Sporting | Partnership with the firearms manufacturer. |
Training and Instruction
The TAV San Martino offers structured training programs aimed at both beginners and elite athletes.
Formats and Levels
The complex organizes courses in two main formats:
Introductory Courses: Aimed at acquiring basic skills and safety for newcomers to clay shooting.
Specialization Courses: Intended for experienced shooters aiming to improve their results in specific disciplines (Compak, Trap).
Training can be conducted in individual or group format.
Technical Staff and Scientific Advantage
The operational director and key event organizer is Alberto Pacassoni.
The scientific and methodological approach is implemented by Dr. Riccardo Monzoni (PhD). His involvement indicates a shift from intuitive training to science-based performance optimization. Dr. Monzoni's specializations cover critical aspects for elite sports:
Mental Training: Application of sports psychology techniques to increase concentration and competition stress resistance.
Optometric Training: Specialized exercises to improve target tracking speed and depth perception, which directly affect reaction time.
Ballistics and Tuning: Provision of expert assistance in weapon setup for long-range shooting and optimization of ammunition choice.
This combination of technical infrastructure and scientific methodology is the main factor attracting professional national teams.
Events and Competitions
The TAV San Martino is a recognized venue for organizing competitions under the auspices of the FITAV (Italian Clay Shooting Federation) and FITASC.
Scale and Regularity of Competitions
The complex has proven experience in organizing major national events, testifying to its high organizational capacity. In particular, the TAV San Martino has hosted the 22nd Italian FIDC Championship (Italian Hunting Federation), which underscores its ability to manage a large number of participants in various categories.
The competitive calendar is dense, including regional and national trophies, such as the 2nd Hunters Trophy and stages of the 4th Marche Cup. This provides athletes with a stable opportunity to compete throughout the season.
Event Options
The infrastructure, sized for national championships, is also ideal for organizing corporate events, team building, and private banquets. The availability of ample parking and rest areas allows for comfortably hosting large groups, combining shooting with social and corporate events.
Who It Is For (Key Audience)
Professional Shooters and National Teams: Thanks to the complete range of competition fields (Trap, Skeet, Compak) and the scientific support of a PhD coach, a unique advantage.
Organizers of Major Tournaments: The facility meets the technical and logistical requirements of FITAV and FIDC for organizing national and regional championships.
Athletes Specialized in Sporting: The availability of 8 Compak Sporting ranges, the Tower, and the Platform ensures maximum realism and complexity in training.
Beginners Seeking Quality Instruction: Access to structured "introductory" courses under the guidance of qualified instructors.
Advantages (Strategic Factors)
Complete Multidisciplinarity: A single center capable of hosting simultaneous training in Olympic Trap, Skeet, and Compak Sporting on 8 independent ranges.
Scientific Expertise: The integration of PhD-level coaching, including functional preparation, optometry, and sports psychology, provides a systemic advantage in preparation.
Premium Technical Equipment: Direct partnerships with Italian industry leaders in firearms and ammunition (Beretta, Benelli, Fiocchi), ensuring equipment quality and launch stability.
Complex Natural Terrain: The location on the Marche hills (170 m a.s.l.) naturally creates challenging trajectories for Sporting, elevating training quality.
Extreme Training Conditions: Presence of the SAN MARTINO TOWER and Platform for practicing high-speed and high-altitude clays (high birds).
Convenient Logistics and Services: Proximity to international transport hubs and tourist areas (Rimini), greatly simplifying team accommodation organization.
Services and Prices
The "Services and Prices" section is omitted, as the exact rates for shooting series, rentals, or instruction specific to TAV San Martino have not been confirmed in the available sources.
Address and Hours
Address: Strada San Martino, 13A – 61010 Rio Salso Tavullia (PU), Italy.
Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–18:00, Mon – Closed (typical hours for a competitive shooting range).
Contacts:
Email: segreteria@tavsanmartino.com.
Phone (Administration/Events): +39 347 880 4029 (Alberto Pacassoni).
Additional Phone: +39 347 322 7895 (Oliviero Pacassoni).
Logistics Analysis and Accommodation
Regional Overview (Marche)
The TAV San Martino is located in the Marche region, known for its hills and proximity to the Adriatic coast. The climate in Tavullia is temperate Mediterranean. The average temperature in the hottest months (July/August) is about 24°C, and in the coldest months (January/February) it is about 9°C. This ensures a comfortable and extended shooting season for most of the year.
Nearest Hotels (Logistical Solution)
Since Rio Salso is a small settlement, accommodation for large sports delegations or teams during major competitions is organized in nearby cities with developed tourist infrastructure.
Key Logistical Points for Accommodation:
Rimini/Riccione: They are the major nearby tourist centers. They offer a large number of high-class hotels, such as Hotel Carlton, Hotel Savoy, Waldorf Palace Hotel, i-Suite Hotel, and Mercure Rimini Artis. These cities provide accommodation flexibility (hotels, apartments, villas) and proximity to Federico Fellini Airport (Rimini).
Tavullia/Pesaro: The most local options include B&B, farm stays, and smaller hotels, ideal for those seeking quiet accommodation.
