Massey University student Robbie Eastham has a chance of interrupting his earth science studies to compete in smallbore at the Beijing Olympic Games.

He was one of six trialling for the Olympics 50m prone event at the Rifle, Rod and Gun Club in Turitea Valley this week.

Shooters must post two scores of 594 or more with their .22 calibre rimfire rifles to qualify for one of the two spots open for Beijing. Eastham shot 596 at Auckland recently to get one foot in the door.

Richard Hearn (Wellington) has already had two, 596 and 594.

Eight shooters jointly hold the world record of 600 from 600. That's 60 shots at 10 points a shot, so each would be a bullseye. The Olympic gold medallist will probably shoot 598 or better.

Eastham, 19, took up the sport six years ago at Rotorua Boys' High School.

"I just gave it a shot and it turned out all right," he said. "I like the way it is so testing; it is really high in mental capacity."

He tries to train and shoot three to four times a week at the gun club and competes indoors for the Rongotea club.

"The Olympics are where I want to go. I'm pretty close. It's another four or five years before I get another chance."

The sport calls for personal discipline - no fizzy drinks or anything with caffeine which boosts the heart rate.

Last year Eastham won the junior 50m prone gold with 590 in the Oceania championships at the 2000 Sydney Olympics venue.

It was there that Christchurch shooter Adrian Black (with 594) qualified New Zealand for a spot at Beijing when he won gold, as thunder clapped overhead. But like everyone else, he must reach the mark.

New Zealand also earned an Olympics spot for the 3-position shoot but no one reached the qualifying standard so that quota has gone to the 50m-prone men.

Among the trialists are Levin father-and-son builders, Grant and Ryan Taylor. They competed at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Ryan Taylor's experience could seal his selection if he can post the scores. His 591 at Athens is the best by a New Zealander at an Olympics and he was also in a World Cup final at Milan two years ago.

Prone is the most contested singular event in New Zealand outdoor target shooting. The German Anschutz and Feinwerkbau rifles cost about $5000 each and the Swiss Bleiker $8000.

Forty years ago, New Zealand's only Olympic shooting medal was won by Ian Ballinger at the 1968 Mexico Games. He and New Zealand's surviving smallbore Olympians - Mike Watt, Jack Scott, Stephen Petterson and Ryan Taylor - will be guests at Saturday's night's awards dinner in Palmerston North.

Manawatu Standard