Lapua Monarch Cup - a dream come true
Tuesday was the final day of the first of two Smallbore silhouette Lapua Monarch Cup (LMC) matches at the Ridgway Rifle Club (RRC). The event finishes at Club De Tiro Saltillo Safari in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, on Sept. 17-18.
The National Rifle Association's Smallbore Silhouette Championships for standard and hunting rifles are running in conjunction with the Cup match.
Competitors from across the nation, Canada, and Mexico began shooting on Sunday.
"It all came from an idea Dustin Flint had, and now it's a reality with the help of many people. And literally, it's a dream come true. For me, I would say it's the most significant event and sports adventure in my life as a shooter," said Daniel Salazar the LMC Chairman of the Board.
Flint, from Louisiana, won the 2022 Missouri High Power Silhouette Regional Championship in June and has been a top competitor at previous matches in Ridgway.
Salazar was recently appointed as the Berger ammunition Export Sales Manager. He was born in Mexico, where he took up the sport at a young age but paused to raise a family and focus on his career. He got back into silhouette shooting in 2016 and has reached Master Class status.
The Missourian’s wife Adriana and son Carlos are here. Unfortunately, their son Abraham could not make the trip due to his work in Texas.
For Mrs. Salazar, who became a US citizen six weeks ago, it's the first trip to Ridgway and the Keystone State.
"Adriana said it's interesting and special coming to Pennsylvania, one of the states where America began. Being a new US citizen, it's very cool and exciting for her," Salazar said.
The LMC chairman was nearly speechless when giving his thoughts on the area.
"We love it, and it's so beautiful. What else can I say? I don't have the words. The emotions and memories just match together, and the only way you can really describe it is with just a big smile."
The goal of the Monarch Cup is to create more interest in the sport globally.
"It's a very passion
ate sport started in Mexico, and seeing it is getting more international is great and something I've always wanted to help with,” Salazar said. “We're taking small steps in a long journey, but the sport will continue to grow if we keep doing what we're doing."
The LMC was to start last year, but travel restrictions due to COVID-19 put things on hold. With the uncertainty of Canada's COVID protocol, it was decided to go ahead this year with just shoots in the US and Mexico. A
leg north of the border will be part of the 2023 event.
Salazar couldn't say enough about the Ridgway Rifle Club facilities and its members.
"There's no doubt their hearts are in it. This is the home of Silhouette, and they are like my brothers. The sport has united us, and it's wonderful being a part of this."
The Cup director is happy to see the competitions bring additional income to the area.
"I'm glad we can bring a dollar or two to this economy. Every dollar adds up, and at the same time, we can enjoy the beautiful town and the facility,
so it's a win for everyone."
The Salazars are staying with the Kemmer family at their farm in Kersey.
"Merv and Janis, their daughter April and son Brent are a wonderful family and great friends. They're making a big difference and are making the whole experience more refined experience. I can't thank them enough," Salazar said.
The Master shooter also had kind words for the community.
"I would like to say to people from Ridgway that I can't thank them enough for their hospitality and for being
such a wonderful part of the Cup."
Others on the LMC board are Adam Braverman (Capstone Precision Group), Jose "Pepe" Valdés (Mexico), and Jason Marsh (Canada).
Mike Haynes of the Ridgway Rifle Club, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Chris Winstead, Kathleen Garvin, and Mary Watkins are the US representatives on the Board Advisory team. Angelica Kuess, Enrique Kuess de la P, Gabriel Villareal, Ricardo Arellano, and Jose Corral represent Mexico. Canadians on the team are Jordan Marsh, Mike Rutherford, Trish Labrecque, and Kalvin
Marsh.
On Thursday, the NRA High-power Silhouette
Championships will begin and run through Saturday.