The road to the
2nd IAU Match Crossbow World Championships, Arosa, Switzerland
September 1979 to July 1981

After the 1979 World Match Crossbow Championships in Linz, several things became apparent. First, the membership in USAA had to grow. Second, the finances of international travel are an issue. Third, the transportation of the crossbows is a formidable challenge. In Europe, travel among nations is by ground and crossbows are easily carried in the trunk of the car.

For crossbows to be checked on a flight, the bow has to be placed, unassembled, in a box, or assembled in a large box. Boxes have to be made. For Linz, wooden boxes were made. Bruce Meredith made two of wood, about 3' x 3' x 1' and each must have weighed 80 pounds loaded. Unreal heavy and cumbersome. One person could barely lift a box. After Linz, aluminum boxes of 11" x 29" x 29" were manufactured for the team by Eliott Hutchinson, an former USAMU rifle shooter. The boxes were certainly oversize and having the airline handle them was a constant problem. They are tagged OVERSIZE and set aside for special handling. Often delayed. The fear is always that they would be placed on air freight and arrive a week late. Luckily, the airlines were cooperative with handling them with minimum charge and objection. Another method was to disassemble the bow and place in a rifle box or other case. That was a problem for rifle shooters, who are not gunsmiths or bow mechanics. The assembling of the bow has to be exact to have the tension on one side of the bow, vs. the other. It is a tuning procedure which requires shooting to test. There is not time to do that upon arrival at a match. The Europeans have the bow manufacturers readily at hand to manage and tune the bows. Therefore, rarely was a bow disassembled for transport. Jim Meredith's 10 meter bow had the stock broken by Eastern Airlines on return to the USA. Airlines have a history of breaking rifles, now crossbows.

Efforts began to grow the team among people who could financially manage travel to Europe, the site of all projected future IAU World Match Crossbow Championships. Building a large competitive crossbow range in the USA was just not going to happen, and all agreed to form up to go again to Europe.

For financial revenue, a search was initiated to see if there was any way something could be done under the athletic section of the formation of a 501 (c) (3) amateur sports organization.

September 28, 1979 - Neill wrote the IRS/Dept of Treasury in NJ for possibility of an exempt status as a tax free organization for possible source of contributions. A response came with forms and application for an Employer Identification Number under publication 557. Also were copied of the regs.

October 10, 1979 - Neill receives a letter from Gary Anderson, Executive Director of the NRA, concerning the request to set up of a 4 point 10 meter crossbow range at Camp Perry Commercial Row, for the purpose of popularizing the event. Copies Meredith & Kimes.

October 17, 1979 - Kimes writes to Walter Burki in Canada for a match to be held in Vancouver 300 meter rifle and crossbow competition 26-27 April 1980. Two Canadian shooters came to Linz, Alois Lander and Albert Eicher. Copy Meredith.

October 21, 1979 - Neill to Kimes and Meredith wanting a meeting at Quantico, VA when they come to shoot rifle Feb 2 & 3. Still awaiting for Huber in Europe to send 10 meter bows, gratis, to the USA. Neill can not make a Vancouver trip due to work schedule.

November 15, 1979 - Vinzenz Huber, manufacturer of 10 meter bows in Germany, lets Neill know that they have had problems but some bows and technical books are coming.

December 9, 1979 - Kimes gets letter from A. Breitenmoser, Pres. of Swiss Canadian Rifle Club concerning a 300 meter competition 26-27 April, but wants reduced number of shots and make standing optional as they are only sportsmen. (They are not the crossbow shooters.)

December 26, 1979 - Meredith writes to Alois Lander in Canada requesting a response to the Kimes letter of 10/17, since no response has been received about a competition. Copy to Kimes and Neill.

December 27, 1979 - Meredith asks Neill for a list of dues paid members of USAA. Quantico, VA 2-3 Feb is still a go for a meeting.

January 2, 1980 - Response letter to Kimes from attorney, Lawrence Katz, re the pursuit of a 501 (c) 3 organization, with need for Constitution, By Laws and Articles of Incorporation, similar to the International Competitions Committee of the NRA.

January 2, 1980 - Kimes gets a letter from Walter Burki of Crossbow shooters of Vancouver. Dates ok. Sent Kimes' request to the rifle shooters (same club - different people).

January 14, 1980 -Neill sends out to Kimes and Meredith a suggested agenda for meeting on 2-3 Feb. Also names of all paid members: Neill, Kimes, B. Meredith, J. Meredith, Banks, Cramer, Steve Muehbauer, Robert Picard, William Boyle. Lander in Canada told Neill dates in Vancouver look ok.

January 1980 - Kimes sends Meredith letter stating Boyle might like to shoot Vancouver and asks for Dennis Dingman to be in contact to see if any interest. Will bring Katz' papers to Quantico Meeting. Includes article by Betty Summerall Duncan of the Firing Line, Official Publication of the California R & P Assn. Nice write up and photo about Kimes and the USAA team with the 22 pound crossbow in Linz and the next WC in Bad Homberg, Germany in 1981 or 1983.

January 22, 1980 - Neill writes to Meredith asking for input on a Camp Perry 10 meter demo. Huber's bows have not arrived and several bows are broken. Only Neill and Kimes have 10 meter bows to take to Perry. Neill wants a July program at Perry to give to the NRA. Neill presents a copy of a International postal match for Field Crossbow and Archery and suggests something like that for USAA Match Crossbow team tryouts.

January 1980 - Kimes to Meredith suggesting conversation with Dingman about course of fire at 300 meter rifle in Vancouver, giving Canada a chance for a team event.

February 11, 1980 - Neill to Gary Anderson at NRA with data re. the four point 10 meter crossbow demo at Perry. Strength of the bow, force of the bolt, carriers, safety, range officers, cost, fees. Dates 7/26 to 8/5. Copies to Meredith & Kimes.

February 22, 1980 - Anderson responds to Neill with OK for Perry and ball passed to John Grubar at NRA Competitions to coordinate.

February 1980 - a copy of issue #1 of Archery International Magazine is received including a photo of Gottfried Deiner, President of IAU and former Swiss and International Crossbow Champion, a leader in the archery world.

March 7, 1980 - Neill copies Meredith and Kimes on Anderson letter and Neill wants to move on with a postal event.

March 17, 1980 - John Grubar of NRA responds to Neill with coordination for Perry and granting a building on Commercial Row. Wants specifics on conduct of event. 3/1/80 and 3/21/80 Neil responds with specifics of 10 meter event and purpose of the activity to promote the sport. 4/25/80 Grubar sends contract and rental charge for use of bldg. at Perry.

March 1980 - Kimes for all going to Vancouver: B. Meredith, Goldsby, Banks, Kimes, Boyle. Arrive 25 April, depart 27 April. Canadians will help with customs. allowed with rifles is 500 rounds center fire ammo per shooter. Best Western Motor Inn, Port Coquitlam, BC. $36 for double room. Range is on Lougheed Highway up the Coast Meridian Road to Victoria Drive. Beautiful big Swiss Chalet Clubhouse in the woods.

Results of crossbow match at Swiss Canadian Rifle Club, Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada 4/26/1980: 30 meters kneeling, 30 shots (90 minutes) D. Kimes 294, R. Bruger 279, W. Boyle 278, T. Banks 275, B. Meredith 274, A. Lander 274, B. Goldsby 271, E. Doebeli 265, A. Decurtins 264, T. Lander 257, B. Eicher 241, M. Spucher 230, B. Markli 224.

30 meters standing (90 minutes) (In order to have shooting at one level, four points had sunken pits for standing. Seemed to make no difference to most who did not shoot there). D. Kimes 277, A. Lander 270, T. Banks 270, B. Goldsby 266, B. Meredith 261, W. Boyle 251, R. Bruger 238, A. Decurtins 232, B. Eicher 228, E. Doebeli 210.

Aggregate Score: D. Kimes 571, T. Banks 545, A. Lander 544, B. Goldsby 537, B. Meredith 535, W. Boyle 529, R. Bruger 517, A. Decurtins 496, E. Doebeli 475, B. Eicher 469.

Team Match - high five each nation - total score: USA 2717, Canada 2501.

Canadians were pleasant, gave nice awards and a nice meal. Wonderful neighbors. As usual USAA had half as many show up as hoped. Still could not get six shooters.

April 27, 1980 - Meredith thank you letter to Walter Burki.

May 14, 1980 - Grubar of NRA sends Neill a complete package for a vendor on Commercial Row, including camp schedule, rules and regulations and note that no furniture but a couple of pistol benches can be provided. I D Badges provided for Neill, Kimes, Boyle and Field & Hunting Crossbow Shooters: Rolfe Smith, Gilbert Frey, John Sherrill, Jack Bowman.

May 1980 - issue of the Crossbow Chit Chat, official publication of the National Crossbowmen of the United States, has an article on page 26 referencing Dick Neill and that a 10 meter Swiss Match Crossbow demo will be at Camp Perry, Ohio in July , but that also joining in will be displays of Field Target Archery Crossbows and Hunting Crossbows, for the first time since 1957.

May 1980 - issue of Archery International Magazine with a IAU page listing names and addresses of all IAU members: Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Switzerland, USA.

June 1, 1980 - Diener writes USAA President, Kimes, and all IAU member nations suggesting that July 1981 event in Europe be a World Championship, not an European Championship. It will be 25th anniversary of the IAU. Requesting support. Notes the Swiss Championships are held every 5 years and is kneeling only, but has 2,000 entries.

June 17, 1980 - Meredith letter to Gottfried Diener with scores of Vancouver and requesting that a woman's 4 person 10 meter team be formed for future world champs. Inquires about European Champs in Arosa, Switzerland July 14-18. Reports Kimes made 1980 Olympic Rifle Team but USA boycotted Moscow. Tough blow for David Kimes. Notes potential problem for making Crossbow WC in July 1981 as the Champ of Americas (CAT) rifle events are same dates in Brazil. Might impact some from USA.

June 24, 1980 - Neill to B. Meredith that he bought 20 more 10 meter bolts and a left handed stock from Tellsport. Struggling to determine how to anchor the carrier systems at Perry. What lumber, heights, etc?

June 1980 - Meredith sends Neill a note to contact the Colonel in command of Match Support at Camp Perry asking about capability to set up 10 meter ranges with wood and C clamps. Also cover windows with plywood. The building given has been vacant for years at the end of Commercial Row. Bruce plans to be there July 26th for a week.

June 30, 1980 - Neill writes COL Williams at Camp Perry asking windows to be boarded and what kind of lumber is available. Heights of pistol benches?

July 8, 1980 - Letter from IAU President, Gottfried Diener, to all federations, including Kimes at USA. All federations have voted to change the 1981 European Crossbow Championships in Arosa, Switzerland to be a World Championship. Dates July 14 to 18, 1981.

July 1980 - Kimes letter to unknown number of USAA members and others requesting help at Camp Perry. Looks like only one 10 meter range will be set up. Kimes is going to the White House with the 1980 Olympic Team and will arrive Camp Perry late. Noted that the World Champion Air Rifle shooter at Seoul, Korea 1st World Air Gun Championships trained only with a 10 meter crossbow. Arosa, Switzerland will be the next IAU World Match Crossbow Championships in 1981 and they might have a woman's team event.

July 17, 1980 - Letter from Diener to Bruce Meredith informing that prior to the World Champs in Arosa, the Swiss National Crossbow Championships will be conducted the prior week in Ringgenberg, Switzerland, near Interlaken (which is near Thun, site of the 1974 World Shooting Championships). He also requested directly to Olegario Vazquez at the UIT and the organizers of CAT in Brazil, to please not conflict with the Arosa dates. He clarified that for a ladies team to be offered there would have to be 5 to 7 nation entries. If only three, it could be called a Swiss Trophy, not a World Championship. Suggested Marie Alkire be involved in getting the women involved. Thanked for the conduct of the Vancouver match and hope that Mexico will participate in the future for a continental championship.

July 1980 - in file an application for individual membership from the National Crossbowmen of the U. S. A., an affiliate of the National Archery Association and editor of Crossbow Chit Chat newsletter. Membership $5 a year. No one of USAA was known to join. Different types of bows and competitions from USAA.

July (undated) 1980 - Neill sends Meredith a note of intent for USAA to join the NRA as a club with attached boilerplate listing officers and their duties. Copy Kimes.

August 2, 1980 - Meeting of USAA members at Camp Perry, Ohio. Members present and elected officers were: President, David Kimes; Vice President, Bruce Meredith; Secretary, Richard Neill; Treasurer, Thurston Banks; Chief Instructor, James Meredith; Executive Officer, David Cramer. Also present was Robert Bach. Also, guest, Gil Frey, from the National Crossbowmen. Dues balance on hand $26.25. Kimes to work with Attorney Katz for a tax exempt organization and incorporating. Motion carried to join NRA as a club and obtain liability insurance. B. Meredith took orders for metal crossbow carrying cases. A woman's team for Arosa will be selected from air rifle scores. Must be a member. Deadline May 1, 1981. Men's 10 meter team to be selected by 10 meter crossbow tryouts at Fort Benning, California and Pennsylvania, 2 x 40, by May 1. 30 meter team to be selected by Feb 1, 1981. Conditions for team members are $1100 personal capability available for travel to Switzerland, passport, commit to one week training prior to Arosa. Request building again for next year at Commercial Row at Camp Perry. Results of Camp Perry demo was $170 in donations from shooters trying their skills with the 10 meter crossbow. Six patches sold at $3 each.

August 13, 1980 - Letter from Diener to B. Meredith. Doubtful there will be a woman's team championship in Arosa. No way to get seven nations interested. Suggest an open woman's championship (not team) and let each nation enter unlimited number of women. Again suggested that Marie Alkire organize women shooters and she could be made IAU President of the Women's Division. Diener met Alkire years ago. The General Assembly will have to approve recommendations, but not later than Oct 15, 1980.

Aug 15, 1980 - Neill letter to Kimes, Meredith, Banks, Boyle. Sending an aluminum mold with a long handle for the pouring of 10 meter leads. Instructions on how to pour and take out lead plug before mold shrinks. Caution any water in the mold when pouring lead will explode into serious burning steam.

August 16, 1980 - Meredith memo to Neill and copy to Kimes to clarify/correct minutes of meeting at Camp Perry. Suggest girls be selected from air rifle scores and then get them to join USAA, not make them join first. Suggest men's 30 meter tryouts be in Calif., GA and NJ. Not require, but suggest the week of training pre Arosa. Bob Aylward or others stationed in Europe not be required to come to USA to tryout. Allow time limits for shooting be doubled for those having no carrier, but running back and forth for retrieval of bolts. Clarified course of fire for tryouts. Selection Committee is officers of USAA. Clarified that Kimes, Neill Meredith are Charter Life Members and exempt from annual dues of $8. Clarified that not more than $500 be spent for incorporation and 501 (c) (3) filing. Thanks for good work at Camp Perry. Minutes later corrected on Aug 30.

Aug 26, 1980 - Meredith letter to Diener and copy Neill and Kimes. Notifying that bad news is the USA tryouts for the Rifle Team to Championship of the Americas will be 6-16 July 1981, interfering with getting people to Arosa. Suggesting dates for future be late August and schools starts early Sept. Confirmed that USA still plans to bring 4 girls to Arosa for some kind of women's event. Will contact Marie Alkire. Receiving interest from older shooters and suggest a category for veterans, old boys or seniors, over age 50. They are also better able to afford the travel. Asking where to stay in hotels and where to train a week before Arosa, July 6-10?

Aug 28 1980 - Letter from Huber to Neill. Sending more strings for bows. Clarify to cock the bow strong, not easy, as the trigger sets better. Otherwise it tends to stick. Price of a bow is US $780. Diener just told Huber that there will be some kind of ladies' event in Arosa. Asking for Kimes, Boyle, Banks and James Meredith to pay for the bows they have had now for a year.

June 15, 1980 - IAU letter to Neill for 1980 dues of SFR 150 for USAA.

June 1980 - Found an old letter from 1978 to Neill from Kromer pricing 30 meter targets. 6 weeks delivery by sea 1000 targets, up to 15 kilo, 75 SFR. By air 168 SFR.

August 14, 1980 - Thank you letter to John Grubar of NRA from Neill for use of building at Camp Perry. Hope to come back next year.

August 16, 1980 - letter from Neill to Gary Anderson at NRA thanking for help at Camp Perry and inquiring about holding a National Crossbow Championship next year. Copy Kimes and Meredith.

August 16, 1980 - letter from Neill to Polytronic in Florida, acknowledging they supplied targets for the European Championships in Frutigan, Switz a few years ago and asking for a 4 point range transport system in the USA and tech support for it at Camp Perry next year.

August 18, 1980 - Letter Neill to Meredith & copy Kimes. Please contact Aylward with info re Arosa. Need to notify all about tryouts. Dues paid now are J. Meredith, Cramer, Bach, Ed Borham and Sue Vande Zande. Were due Jan 1st. Resorts International in Atlantic City wants to know how USAA is going to bring gamblers to their casino if a 10 meter tryout is held there. Neill suggests $100 entry fee and winner gets all paid trip to Arosa.

Septembert 8, 1980 - Neill letter to B. Meredith. Should USAA money be sent to Banks, now the Treasurer. Send Neill's scrapbook to J. Meredith, now Historian? Suggestion that a prest-o-lite torch can melt lead, but go to a plumbing shop with accumulated lead and have 200 lead plugs made at a time. Suggest charging more than $10 to try out for team. Will contact Resorts International in Atlantic City to see about setting up a 10 meter tryout in a casino.

September 11, 1980 - Note to Neill from B. Meredith and copy Kimes. Send $$ to Banks. Keep your scrap book if you really like it. You and Jim decide. Minutes look good. Guys with bows should pay Huber or wait until summer and buy a newer model from him in Switzerland.

September 1980 (undated) - Letter from IRS to Nell referencing 10-29-79, with an Employee Identification Number of 22-2271766 for U. S. Armbrust Association.

September 12, 1980 - Meredith receives an invitation to join Kentucky Crossbow Hunter Association. No thanks.

September 1980 - Meredith receives five pages single spaced of hundreds of names and addresses from Neill ? Apparently as possible invitees to come shoot with USAA.

September 8, 1980 - letter from Diener to Neill (copy Kimes and Meredith) thanking for work at Camp Perry. There is no competition for Juniors in Arosa. Possibly for the 3rd World Champs at Bad Homburg, Germany in 1983. Huber has contacted Diener re. the five 10 meter crossbows the USAA shooters have and have not yet paid for. Polytronic might sell, at a reduced price, the hand driven carriers. No response yet about the CAT games overlap from Olegario Vazquez. Wants to know if Marie Alkire has done anything yet to get the Women motivated and going. Need her help to get 7 nations of women.

September 11, 1980 - Letter from Neill to Steve Norton, Exec. VP of Resorts International, Atlantic City. Gave brief history of crossbow and wants the resort to host the 3rd or 4th World Crossbow Championship in the casino.

September 18, 1980 - letter from Steve Norton, Exec. VP of Resorts International, Atlantic City to Neill. Do not have a facility to host an archery or crossbow event.

September 19, 1980 - letter from Douglas Seward of Polytronic - ABA, Largo, FL, informing Neill that Polytronic does not plan to market crossbow equipment in the USA.

September 25, 1980 - letter from John Grubar (NRA) to Neill clarifying the building at Camp Perry next year will depend on Commercial Row activity. COL Rollinger, the DCM will be informed of the request. NRA does not recognize crossbow and can not sanction a national championship. Consider it a demonstration.

September 28, 1980 - Neill writes to all USAA members reporting conversations with NRA and wants member input if we should push for a National Championship in 10 meter Match Crossbow at Camp Perry, Phoenix or elsewhere?

October 17, 2080 - Neill letter to Meredith and copy Kimes to sign enclosed form to change banks for USAA account. Still looking for response about a Camp Perry National Championship in 1981. No answer from Dave Cramer re a 30 meter tryout in PA. Skip Meyers is coming to shoot a 30 meter tryout at Neill's in NJ. Myer's R & P club in NJ is going to allow a 10 meter tryout at their location.

October 31, 1980 - letter Diener to Neill. Asks about a Camp Perry shoot. States there will be no women's World Championship event in WC 1981 Arosa because not enough nations. There will be a non WC event called a Swiss Trophy for the purpose of placing the women's event item on the General Assembly looking for support at the WC in 1983 at Bad Homburg, Germany. Rolfe Smith of the U S National Crossbowmen (Field Crossbow) has written the IAU to join. Diener hopes that kind of shooting will become popular. Gave name of travel firm Kuoni for travel to Arosa. Sent a program for Internationale Thurau-Meisterschaft 1981 in January 2/3 1981 in Wil, Switz. Enclosed an article in Archery International by Diener re the Swiss Central Kneeling Championships in Ettiswil in July 1980 where there were 1800 competitors. Remarks about how the lack of training has resulted in poor scores. Less than half of the final 20 shot above 560. The Swiss were beat by the Germans in Linz and are not getting the point that they need to improve. If they do not, they will be in second place for years to come.

November 1980 - letter Kimes to Meredith. Kimes plans to be in Europe most of Nov. Will see Diener and Wacker. Will see Seibel in Germany re rental vans. Polytronic seems to be not for us any longer. What else to cover while in Europe?

November 10, 1980 - Letter from Huber to Neill, re the 10 meter bows. Huber contacted the IAU and favors women's events. Asks about a Camp Perry Championship. Huber will be at he SHOT Show in New Orleans in Jan 1981 and asks Neill to come there to meet.

November 15, 1980 - Letter from Swiss bow manufacturer, Ernst Wacker, to Neill with literature for a 10 meter bow, priced at SFR 1,070 without shipment. Air freight SFR 130.

November 18, 1980 - Letter from Neill to USAA members. Program for 2nd World Crossbow Championships in Arosa, Switzerland 12-19 July 1981. Also, the Swiss National Championships will be held in Ringgenberg the week prior.

November 26, 1980 - letter David Cramer to Neill. Cramer has been busy with Army Reserve duty, but can push forward with tryouts, but needs bows. Might be able to round up 5 or 6 locals to shoot. Could come to NJ. Favors a National Championship at Perry but push for a decision from the NRA to authorize and sponsor.

December 24, 1980 - letter from Neill to Kimes & copy Meredith. Wants Kimes to draft a program for a 1981 National Championship at Camp Perry and submit to NRA. Will join NRA as a club in 1981. Enclosed some Cape May Courthouse, NJ tryout scores at 10 meters by Ethyl Ann Alves, shot Dec 21, 1980 = 88, 84, 81, 91 = 344. Also a 30 meter tryout by Ray Carter, on 12/21/80, who had some hook plate issues, but did get in a score: Standing 95, 96, 97 and Kneeling 99, 99, 96 = 582.

December 23, 1980 - Christmas card from Ray Carter to Meredith reporting he shot 582 at Neill's in a light snow.

December 1980 - Christmas card from Bow Maker, Schallberger, to Meredith, who shoots his bow.

December 1980 - Letter Kimes to Meredith. (another to Neill) Kimes and wife went on vacation to Europe and stopped in Linz. Visited the Austrian Coach and Police Chief. Next time bring a letter from a police agency and can stay free in a police hotel, with rifle range in basement. Stayed with a friend in Zurich. Then met with Diener. Women can shoot in an "opening event" in Arosa. Expects 15-18 nations for men. Asks that in the General Assembly a proposal be made for a women's, junior and senior event be added to WC in 1983. Diener suggested dropping teams down to only 5 shooters, not six and drop low score. No response from Olegario Vazquez re the conflicting dates of the CAT games in Brazil. Wacker will loan us bows for Arosa and possibly Camp Perry. Aylward has approval from his commander in Germany to come shoot in Arosa. Received a letter from a boy in Washington who wants to shoot with us. His father is in Canada and he shoots crossbow with his dad.

Winter 1981 - schedule of indoor postal matches by the National Crossbowmen (Gil Frey). In addition to Archery Crossbow, Field/Hunting Crossbow, Pistol Crossbow and Bailey Style Crossbow, they now have picked up on Match Crossbow 10 meter (Swiss Style).

January 25, 1981 - article from Sunday Press, Atlantic City, NJ with photos of Neill and Cramer shooting and nice write up.

January 26, 1981 - Meredith to Neill. Sent 10 and 30 meter tryout scores for Jim and Bruce Meredith. Targets mailed with $48 for tryouts and Jim's dues. T. Banks due next week.

January 30, 1981 - Kimes letter to COL Jack Rollinger at Camp Perry. Coordinating for Camp Perry 1981. Joe Smith note back... no issue, coord. with Grubar at NRA.

Feb 2, 1981 - Diener to Marie Alkire. Kimes requested that IAU give Alkire info re Arosa in hopes she can drum up interest in women for crossbow in 10 meters in a WC in 1983. 30 meter bows are too heavy for women. 10 m will be 10 sighters and 40 for record. A Swiss Trophy can be awarded in Arosa as an opening event.

Recent results of a Women's 10 meter crossbow match in Europe are:
Koln, Germany (Wagner 343, Blankenstein 335, Kreuter 306)
Wil, Switzerland (Grossglauser 359, Wagner 350, Sonnet 349)
Amelo, Netherlands (Lusssing 362, Motter 345, Kollender 342)

At the General Assembly in Arosa, a lady representative will be chosen for the IAU. More teams are needed. Air Rifle shooters can shoot this event well. Since you (Alkire) own a 10 meter bow, you are familiar with the specifics. You are a Chief Instructor in a Shooting School and well qualified to be of help. Crossbows will be provided free of charge in Arosa. Please advise as soon as possible how many ladies will come to Arosa.

February 4, 1981 - Letter from Neill to Meredith & Kimes with tryout scores so far:

February 19, 1981 - Meredith letter to Neill and copy Kimes, re selection for Arosa team. Reviewing issues with tryouts, Some had better bows or wind conditions. Some shot more than once. No pre stamped targets were mailed. Some scores very high. Need a final trial of some kind. Maybe top 8 shoot again with witness. Suggest final selection in Europe. Survey for USAA officers to make a choice was being prepared.

February 23, 1981 - Letter Marie Alkire to Diener and copy Trudy Anliker, Chairperson of UIT Women's Committee (Swiss). Have sent Arosa crossbow info to Bill Krilling, Coach at AMU, Fort Benning, GA and also to the NRA Collegiate Committee. Good luck.

February 24, 1981 - Huber to Kimes. Just mailed 6 new darts tested for you. They are now longer and heavier. The bow Lones Wigger gave you is with the new bolt. Sending two new steel palates to install on the bow. Also a new spirit level. Banks, J. Meredith, Boyle, etc. have not yet paid for their bows. Until they do we are not sending more. Good luck.

March 3, 1981 - Meredith letter to Kimes, Banks, Cramer, Carter. Re shooting 300 meter rifle training match in Switzerland and crossbow for verification of value as a trainer. Plan a tough schedule get in shape. Will shoot 300 meter free and standard rifle in mornings and 10 & 30 meter crossbow in nights under the lights, June 27 until July 12. Visit Anschutz Factory and bow makers, Wacker, Winzeler and Schullberger. July 13 to Arosa. Cost of an aluminum crossbow box is $100. Order now.

March 3, 1981 - Meredith to Neill & Kimes. Vote for Broad Form of insurance from NRA.

March 3, 1981 - letter Meredith to Diener. (copy Kimes & Neill) Coming with a team to Switz. and Germany for 300 meter rifle training and want to incorporate 30 meter xbow as can be arranged. Please do what you can to facilitate with Swiss Rifle Union. Gave names of those who are probably coming to Arosa. Will a girl's team event be 3 or 4 shooters? Have received a copy of Arosa schedule. Do not see anything for women.

March 3, 1981 - Kimes letter to Diener. USAA is bringing 3 women to Arosa. Want them to shoot 40 shots, not 20. All same relay. Too far to travel for just 20 shots. Please announce in advance some kind of a special award so they will know. Let other nations know now about the special event for women even though it is not part of the World Championship. Also, please put junior and senior categories on the agenda for General Assembly, for 1983 or 1985. Using Kuoni for travel plans. What are bus plans hotel to range for shooters?

March 5, 1981 - Wacker writes to Kimes. Needs to know the names, addresses, dates of birth and profession of all who plan to shoot in the Swiss Nationals, pre Arosa, in Ringgenberg. Must have to enter in the Swiss Match Shooting Association. Wacker's club is going to accept the Americans, and pay the fees. Now making a fiberglass bow, which is lighter and more powerful than the steel. Higher velocity, less recoil. Better in the wind and no loss in accuracy. How do you want the new bolts sent?

March 1981 - Kimes to Meredith. Not favoring a final tryout. Go with those who made it first time. In 1983 we can improve with official numbered targets, witnesses, jury. About 8 people going early to shoot the Swiss Champs pre Arosa WC. Working with Kuoni in NY for travel. Air fares are going up $80 on April1. Status of xbow boxes? Who needs to borrow a bow in Switz. and what make? Includes flyer to all USAA re Arosa that women's event will be an "opening item" for the WC and not counted as official World Champ. Must be paid member of USAA to be on team. Final tryout Feb 1, 1981. ISU legal clothing required. Clarified 30 meters is 90 minutes for each standing and kneeling with 10 sighters and 30 shots for record each. 10 meters men is 40 shots standing in 1 3/4 hours.

March 8, 1981 - William Boyle letter to Neill (copy Kimes & Meredith) in response to the survey that Neill sent out regarding tryouts for Arosa. Boyle is opposed to any further tryouts. Regard people posting scores higher than they would be expected to shoot in Arosa, so be it. They shot the scores. Some people might train up and be better by Arosa. One can't want to spend about $3,000 to make the Arosa trip unless they are sure they are going to shoot. Some shooters had inferior bows. Too bad. Part of the game. Some shooters had a range on which to train while others had to shoot cold. The bows have been in the US for a year. If anyone was motivated to train they could have. Some people only shot once. The rule was to shoot twice. If those who shot only once, then those who shot twice should be able to count the highest score. Since no pre stamped targets were mailed, we need to trust out teammates. Deadline to shoot was Feb 1st. No date was given for submission of targets. Some ranges were dark and made seeing the level bubble in the front sight difficult. The range Margaret Paulson and I shot on was dark and we had to live with it. If we get more than 4 girls they should not try out in Europe for the women's team. May 1 was their air rifle deadline. They need to know before they go if they are going to shoot. If there is a reshoot, all should be able to shoot, not just the top 8.

March 1981 - Letter Kimes to Meredith. Have decided to not shoot 300 meters rifle in Europe, pre the crossbow activities. Agree on communication improvement.

March 8, 1981 - Boyle to Meredith - I need two aluminum xbow boxes. One for Paulson.

March 9, 1981 - Meredith to Kimes and Neill re coordinating communication. We should let Neill do the communication with the IAU. Kimes, twice World Champion, is now decided to not go to shoot rifle at 300 meters pre Arosa. What? The Swiss are waiting for him to compete. Kimes does not favor a reshoot for xbow team tryouts. OK with Meredith. Someone needs to stay in touch with Aylward for his plans.

March 13, 1981 - Meredith letter to Neill and copy Kimes and Boyle. Neill's letter was a recap of conversation with B. Meredith, Kimes, Cramer, Banks, J. Meredith and Carter. Communication problem. Point is teams stand as they are now. B. Meredith feels he is not good enough to be on the 10 meter team and thus did not shoot, but will if necessary. How many girls to go? Can a girl use air rifle scores from any time in the past? Never covered that. Important thing now is to work on travel plans.

March 13, 1981 - Letter from travel agent Kuoni to Kimes with suggested itinerary for travel to Switzerland for Arosa trip. April 10 is deadline for payment.

March 14, 1981 - Neill letter to all USAA members. Need improvement on tryout procedures. All should fill out a complete application and pay dues and fees. Should have a meeting in Arosa to formulate for 1983. Agree with Meredith that 10 m tryouts should be at Camp Perry. However, last event at Perry was not a success. Have made about 100 lead plugs for tryouts. Might not get off work for the entire time at Perry. Who will staff the shoot? Wacker might come from Switzerland to Perry. Need advertising.

March 1981 USAA Membership list (including addresses):

March 15, 1981 - Neill to Kimes (copy Meredith) Suggest USAA meeting in Arosa, to include election of officers for 1982. Neill does not want to be the Executive Director any longer. Feels it should be someone in the mainstream of competitive shooting. Neill prefers to work at the grass roots level.

March 19, 1981 - Neill to Meredith and copy Kimes re travel to Switzerland. Made reservations for 20 people in Arosa. Various people have individual travel plans.

Results of the 30 meter tryouts for Arosa:

Results of 10 meter tryouts for Arosa:

All of the 30 meter team needs to confirm if going and also if wife or friends are going. First 6 are the 30 m team but all can shoot the Swiss Championships. There is internal conversation regarding the 10 meter scores. Some people posted scores much higher than past performances and questionable if they can perform at that level in Arosa. Some are new shooters and with practice can improve 10-20 points by July. Some shooters had to borrow inferior bows. Some had a range to practice and others had to shoot cold. Some drove all night and shot in a rush. One shooter sent in an average of 4 scores. Others shot twice and selected the highest score. Some only shot once. No pre-stamped targets were sent out and no deadline was given for return of targets. One shooter sent scores, but no targets to verify. Some ranges were dark making seeing level bubble difficult. Need to sort this out. Need to find more girls to shoot. They can finalize in Europe if they go.

Seven people returned the survey and voting was 5 (Kimes, Boyle, Morse, Banks, Neill) for going with the rules for tryout as published in Aug 80. Selection is final. Four ( Both Merediths, Carter and Cramer) voted for a final selection in Europe pre Arosa, when all have good bows and are trained up.

March 24, 1981 - Kimes letter to all team re travel plans, prices, car rentals, deadlines.

March 27, 1981 - Meredith letter to Neill. 300 meter rifle shooting with 4 of us will only be in Switzerland. Germans say they have no range. Kimes has backed out of the rifle shooting to spend time with family and friends at the crossbow events in Ringgenberg and Arosa. Meredith advised he divorced a month ago and now has custody of sons ages 9 and 10 and might be an issue for him and the trip.

March 22, 1981 - Neill letter to Meredith, Kimes and Boyle (who voiced complaints about tryouts). Been tough to sort through all this. IAU moved the WC from 1983 to 1981, giving us less time to prepare. We are scattered all over USA making coordination and tryouts tough. Everyone is busy and on the go. Need a better tryout system next time. Congrats to Bruce on good tryout score and hope he stays in the game with Kimes.

March 23, 1981 - Meredith letter to Banks, Carter and Cramer. Kimes has backed out of rifle shooting this time. No shooting in Germany, only Switzerland. We will shoot rifle in the mornings and 10 & 30 m xbow at night, under the lights, both near Zurich. Very busy and long day of shooting. Will have a van from Seibel in Germany. Send travel schedule.

March 27, 1981 - Meredith to Diener re coordination for 300 meter rifle shooting.

March 31, 1981 - Kuoni Travel to Kimes. R/T Calif. to Zurich for 5 = US $686 each.

April 2, 1981 - Neill to Kimes and copy Meredith. No response from NRA on a club membership by now. Thus have not applied for insurance. Any word from Attorney Katz re incorporation? Suggest that USAA buy a Polytronic range. Also, should have a meeting in Arosa. Working with Rolfe Smith to get copies of The National Crossbowman to our members. Would like us to join the TNC as a member. Encloses copies of a letter from Beeman's Precision Airguns to Rolfe Smith announcing the coming in production of a match crossbow. Also a copy of a Rolfe Smith letter to officers of The American Crossbow Association, The National Crossbow Hunters Association, The United States Armbrust Association and The National Crossbowmen of the U. S. A. wanting funding to publish and mail Crossbow Chit Chat newsletter. (Did we join them or are they taking us by adverse possession?)

April 6, 1981 - Neill to Mr. Iavarone of Beeman's asking about prices & tech data for bow.

April 1981 - Kimes to Neill. (copy Meredith) I will not be able to make Camp Perry next year. Having a tryout there might be challenging. Need to run ads in advance. Please write Diener and ask for more help from Polytronic. Wacker says he would loan us 4 to 5 10 m bows. Send Ethyl Ann Alves an application to join USAA. No luck so far in getting any other women shooters. Send reminders to all who have not paid dues. Hold off club insurance until next year. Reminder about names, DOB, etc. for Mr. Wacker.

April 27, 1981 Neill to Kimes (copy Meredith) Skip Meyers has agree to take a 10 m target system to Camp Perry this year. Don't know how many crossbows there will be available. Still waiting for input for an agenda for a meeting in Arosa, to put out to the team. Enclosed copy of a results bulletin page re the Swiss shoot where ladies completed in 10 m and were given awards and applause from the onlooker.
Scores:
Men 10 meter (64 competitors): Nipkow CH 378, Falke BDR 377, Illig BDR 371.
Women 10 meter ( 11 competitors): Glossglauger CH 359, Wagner BDR 350, Sonner BDR 349.
Juniors 10 meters (15 competitors): Steinmann CH 362, Goldau BDR 342, Idel BDR 339.

April 29, 1981 - Kimes letter to those with Tellsport bows. See Huber letter and please write them (40 cents air mail) and let them know your plans to pay. If you have suggestions for improvements, so state. If you are going to return them in Arosa, pay there, etc. If you need anything else, let them know. Thanks for clearing this up.

May 1, 1981 - Kimes letter to all re Arosa trip. Seibel vans in Germany will be 889 DM/week and 127 DM for extra day. Unlimited mileage. Guys who owe money to Wacker, please pay. Get together old pins and tradies for friends in Europe. Enclosed article from Swiss Canadian Crossbow Association re the event in Ringgenberg and Arosa. All hotels booked. Will be a big affair.

May 1, 1981 - Meredith to Kimes (copy Neill). Crossbow new boxes due this week. Coming for B. Meredith 3, J. Meredith 2, Cramer 1, Boyle 1, Kimes 1. Kimes, Boyle, Carter, Banks want another. Suggest we have a meeting first or second day at Arosa. All give agenda items to Neill. Ask IAU for senior (age 50) and junior (age 19) teams and 4 person woman teams, not 3 like ISU. Keep palm rest and thumb hole stocks for 10 meter. Don't outlaw. I will help at Perry. We need to find 2 more girls for Arosa. Is the NRA giving any $$ for Arosa? I plan to buy a 30 meter electric carrier system in Switzerland this trip for my place in GA. We should buy the NRA club insurance.

May 1, 1981 - Neill to all members. Annual meeting will be in Arosa, probably on July 15. Proposed agenda is President's report, Secretary report, Treasurer report, Election of Officers, Goals for 1982. Goals should be a firm establishment for tryouts for 1983. Alternative plans for tryouts. Neill does not want to run again for Secretary. Feels we should join another Crossbow Association to grow members. Send in your ideas.

May 1981 - Kimes to all members. Do we want to join Rolfe Smith's United States Crossbow Federation? Sounds good to me. Your thoughts? Copy of a new USAA logo designed by Margaret Paulson. I think it is good and ask your thoughts. Copy of the one previously designed on our flag by Bruce Meredith is attached. For sale at a dollar each. Good tradies. We need volunteers at Camp Perry this year 24 July to 1 Aug. Should we go this year or wait until 1982 and have tryouts for 1983 WC in Germany? Wacker has offered to loan us 4 10 m bows for Perry. We should have a meeting in Arosa. Here is a design for a USAA National Record Certificate. Your thoughts?

May 14, 1981 - Meredith to Carter, Cramer, Banks and J. Meredith with 300 meter ammo requirements and baggage forecast for travel. Will be a tough match against the Swiss.

May 1981 - Kimes to Meredith (copy all others) Traveling with Kimes group are David and Liz Kimes, Bill Boyle, Teri Leone, Ethel Ann Alves, Margaret Paulson, Frances Barilotti. Mr. Seibel will meet with two rental vans at Zurich airport. Mr. Wacker will meet us. Drive to Park Hotel and stay 3-13 July to shoot Swiss Crossbow Champs at Ringgenberg. Mr. & Mrs. Huber of Tellsport bows will meet us. Meet up with Mr. & Mrs. Neill. Meredith rifle shooters will meet up in Ringgenberg. Bob & Julie Aylward will come in from Germany to join group. Drive to Arosa on 13 July. Stay at Parkhotel. July 20 return to Zurich for trip home. Remember passports. Get an International Drivers License. Do not let Swiss Air charge you excess baggage. Pre approved. Bring all weather clothing. Could be hot 85 degrees to snowing. Bring hand warmers. Very high elevation. Bring blue blazer and grey pants or skirt. Bring a gift for those who loaned you a bow. Bring tradies. Double room and meals each per day is about $28. Entry fees for Arosa is about $40 each for 30 meters and $16 for 10 meters. Quote from Wacker with prices at 30 meter super-match bow sfr 1,988 for steel bow and sfr 2,134 for fiberglass. 10 meter Champion bow is sfr 1,163 for steel bow and sfr 1,309 for glass. His Bow Mechanic will be at Ringgenberg.

June 20, 1981 - Neill to all members of USAA. Annual meeting agenda for Arosa. Report of previous minutes. President's report, Secretary report, Treasurer report. Election of officers. Old business: Tax deductible Travel fund. Status and merits of Incorporation. New Business: Items to present to the IAU General Assembly including Junior, Senior and Women's events. Palm rest and thumb hole stock issues for 10 meter bows. Appoint a committee to work on a Continental Championship in the Americas. Appoint a committee for 10 meter tryouts. Appoint a committee for future 30 meter tryouts. Whether to associate with another crossbow group in the USA. Put together a handbook with USAA By-Laws and 10 and 30 meter rule books. A club has now been formed with the NRA. Skip Myers and Ed Shea are willing to help at Camp Perry with time, flood lights and the 100 lead plugs and the carrier system made.

Story by Robert Aylward:
Before the 2nd IAU World Championships in Arosa Switzerland, I was stationed in Mainz Germany. I trained 50 meters at a range in Biebrich, Germany (next to Wiesbaden). It was just amazing how many beautiful UIT ranges were within 10 miles of where I lived. They also had 10m and 30m armbrust setups. One day I was shooting 30 meters in this underground range. The range was a typical European range with prone and kneeling off a table with a 2 1/2 foot high ledge/table in front of you and offhand from the floor. At this range for the first 3 meters beyond the firing line there was pumice rock with louvers over them that would absorb the sound when you shot small-bore. (Worked very well, by the way) Anyway during one standing shot, I had held it up there for too long so I took the bow down to re-group to try again. The 2-stage trigger did not go forward so I figured I'd do like in small-bore where I'd open the action and re-set the trigger. But with crossbow you have to put the cocking lever on, pull the trigger, have the bow fire VERY SLOWLY, and then re-cock. Well, that's easier than it sounds. I set the butt hook on the ledge in a small divot that was there to put the hook in when you cocked it, put in the cocking lever, held on for dear life, pulled the trigger and ooops ... the butt hook came out of the divot (very rapidly) and caught me between the legs in a sensitive area. Well, that wasn't the end of it as when the hook hit me in the nuts, I let go of the bow with one hand and the bow reversed direction and with the same force the front sight came back and hit me on the bridge of the nose, blooding my nose and blacking both my eyes, damn near instantly. Well heck, I was going to the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS as a member of the United States team so naturally I had several of the local shooters watching to see what my technique was. I turned around and they were very polite, but amazed at this American.

The story continues. When you get bucked off a horse, you get back on, right? So I leaned over the "ledge" and found my bolt that was down below and between the louvers resting on the pumice rock. I picked it up, reset the bow, aimed and fired. Heck, I wasn't going to let one small incident stop my training. Well, when I fired that bolt it went down range but very high and took out 5 rows of florescent lights. I guessed that I didn't seat the bolt correctly. Anyway, I figured I'd showed the locals enough of my technique, packed up and went home for the day. (Note: I went to a Command and Staff Meeting the next day at the Battalion. I couldn't walk very well and my face looked like Muhammad Ali had used me as a sparring partner. Try to explain to the boss that you had a battle with a crossbow)

Anyway, not daunted, I came back to the same range to train the next Saturday. I was still walking a little bowlegged and my eyes were still black, but heck, let's shoot. So with the high cost of the bolts I didn't want to use a new one for practice, so I went down range, found the bolt (they had since put in new florescent lights), came back to the same firing point, got in position and was ready to shoot when all of a sudden the range master starting yelling stop, stop, so I put the crossbow down. What had happened the week before, is the bolt that I'd located in the louvers was not the 30m bolt that I had dropped, but a 10m bolt that someone else had dropped previously! With the weight differential between a 10m and 30m bolt, it had taken flight way high and knocked out the lights. IF he had not stopped me, since I was about 1 second from firing, I'd have re-knocked out those five rows of brand new lights again!

On to Ringgenberg, Switzerland for the Swiss National Match Crossbow Championships and then to Arosa, Switzerland for the 2nd IAU World Match Crossbow Championships ...

30m range in Dietlikon, Switzerland where Bruce Meredith, David Cramer,
Thurston Banks and Ray Carter trained some before Arosa.

30m crossbow and bolt.

Master medals from Swiss Championships in Ringgenberg before Arosa.

If you have any photos or results, please email them to the webmaster Ray Carter at raypcarter@comcast.net.