The 2019 Rifle World Shoot (RWS) opening ceremony took place on August 3, 2019, at Alfred Nobel Square in the middle of Karlskoga, Sweden.

 

The geographical position of Karlskoga, embedded in the beautiful and scenic province of Värmland, is strategic with Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Oslo within a radius of 300 km. The area has been inhabited since the stone ages and the city grew up as a center for the production of iron. Manufacturing of the world-famous Bofors field Howitzers and cannons started here 1880. Karlskoga has today almost 30 000 inhabitants and is the home town of Nobel Price founder Alfred Nobel.

 

The RWS II opening ceremony began with the participants’ parade with their national flags. About 650 athletes from 50 countries have arrived in Sweden to participate at the Rifle World Shoot (Level V).

 

During the opening ceremony of the RWS, the honored guests greeted the athletes with welcoming speeches.

 

The ceremony was attended by IPSC President Vitaly Kryuchin, IPSC General Secretary Friedrich Gepperth, IROA President Dino Evangelinos, IPSC Sweden Regional Director Roland Dahlman, Swedish official representatives of the regional military and city authorities and official guests.

 

The Organizing Committee prepared 5 areas and 30 challenging stages for the RWS 2019 participants at the Vilingsberg Shooting Range.

 

The stages are located in a military shooting zone of 20 000 hectares (ca 49 000 acres). The stage design is totally integrated into nature, in bushes, forests, and lakes. The natural décor is amazing. This “3D” range is totally appropriate for IPSC Rifle Shooting and doesn’t present any problem with safety.

 

It will be a fantastic match!