Eisenstadt hosts muzzleloader world championships with 360 competitors

The muzzleloader world championships have begun in Eisenstadt, with more than 360 competitors from 23 countries taking part, ORF reported. Seven participants are from Burgenland.

Competitors are contesting more than 30 disciplines, all involving historical firearms. The most popular is Kuchenreuter, in which five of the seven Burgenland participants are competing.

Burgenland participant Werner Fasching said the weapon used in the discipline was built around 1860 by a member of the Kuchenreuter family. He described it as a precision firearm with a high-quality barrel that still shoots perfectly today.

The local competitors had a mixed start to the championships. Participant Robert Szuppin called it “a little hesitant”, while organiser and sports shooter Herbert Wagner said performance depended on the competitors’ form on the day after months of preparation.

There have been no organisational problems so far. Eisenstadt is hosting the muzzleloader world championships for the second time, after 2018. Wagner said it was the only state shooting range in Austria capable of hosting muzzleloader competitions on this scale.

Although most muzzleloader competitors across Austria are men, several women are taking part in Eisenstadt. Lorena Schneider from Germany said her mother had also been a sports shooter and was a major role model for her.

The championships will continue until Saturday.