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As long as it took to finally get here, its now over. The 2011 IBO World Championships in Ellicottville New York was held last month leaving me with memories that will last forever. Last year I was fortunate to have met some incredible friends all of which have one thing in common, the love of the crossbow. This years World Championship started off with the usual jitters, especially since I won the World Championship last year in the crossbow division. As I approached and shot the very first target I was disappointed to see the arrow sitting in the eight ring. Well, so much for not shooting any eights this weekend, well at least that first one is out of the way. If I remember correctly my next seven targets were all elevens, heck of a recovery I guess. That's when it happened! As I shot target number nine the arrow didn't make its usual sound striking foam. It actually sounded more like leaves and the occassional sapling. How in the world did I miss a target? As I looked around at everyone I still couldn't believe that I had missed a target. Having won each of the three major tournaments I competed in last year as well as the Second Leg of the IBO National Triple Crown in Erie again this year, I was abruptly reminded that I am in-fact human. On just the first day and the first course I probably had already sealed my fate. I continued to shoot but shaking off a miss sure isn't easy. Later that afternoon I found that after all of the scores were in I sat in fourth place. Angry at myself but unable to take that missed arrow back, I tried hard to just put it behind me and continue with the tournament instead of going home to see my children like I really wanted to. To make a long story somewhat shorter I managed to shoot well enough to finish the second day in second place. The gentleman that sat in first place (Michael Tenley) was the same shooter that I beat last year to win the World Championship. This year he came into the third day's shoot off around 14 points ahead of me. He would need to make some terrible mistakes if I was to beat him this year. After a stressful third day and ten final targets he never made the mistakes I would have needed to win the World IBO Title two years in a row. He shot very well and all along I was realistically trying to hold onto my second place position, which I some how managed to do. I had an incredible weekend and gathered some memories that will last forever. I sure wish my buddy Kenny Barr, who has been my whole reason for being where I am in the crossbow community, could have been there shooting with me this year. He promised me he will again join me on the ranges next year, so I'm holding him to it. Kenny, Darrell and Pete have been my biggest supporters and remained positive about my shooting throughout this whole season even when I had doubts. They called me each day to check on the results and offer advise to put my head back into the game. My father again traveled with me this year and carried his "big walking stick" telling everyone that it was to be used on my head if my shooting got too bad (perhaps he should have used it). The new gang this year that took me under their wing includes Rick "Hog" St. Louis. The Hog man is a great person that took me under his wing this year and let me tell you this guy can cook! I am still telling stories about that dinner which included some awesome shrimp gumbo. Anyone that stays with Hog's group will not go hungry. I'd like to invite myself to next year's dinner if that's ok. Besides being a great cook and a great shot with a crossbow, Hog Man did a heck of a job raising two great kids. His son Bubba and daughter Billie are addicted to archery and shot continuously the whole weekend. Billie is a beautiful young girl that can draw a 70# compound bow straight back as many times as she wants to. When I say draw it straight back I don't mean point it at the sky and draw it, I mean straight back! She can also cock a crossbow with her bare hands. Her brother "Bubba" and husband Rob are both great guys that sure helped me alot during the weekend with my equipment setups. I really can't say enough about this group. They are top notch folks that would give you the shirt off of their back. Thank you for everything! I really enjoyed shooting with Robin East and Johnny Johnson who are also part of the Hog Man's gang. These are two great guys that have a love for the sport and are a pleasure to shoot with. They really kept my mind off of the stresses involved in such a large tournament and actually made it fun. I really appreciated Johnny walking the last day with us and trying to keep me focused, not an easy thing to do Johnny. Him and Rob also helped me with the sighting in of my back-up bow although it wasn't need. I cant forget about Roy Meditz now can I? Roy had a phenomenal year shooting. Let me tell you when this guy is on he is a machine. I really like Roy and appreciate all of the advise and knowledge he has to offer, he has been around this sport for a long time and is a book of knowledge. Kelly Strait is another shooter I had the pleasure of meeting and shooting with this year. Kelly always has a smile on his face and is really shooting great for his first year behind the crossbow. Now its time to acknowledge my sponsors. First off let me say that my only reason for shooting and using the equipment that I do is because I believe in it. I approached the companies not the other way around. If I am using a certain piece of equipment it is because I have tested it and truly believe in it's reliability, performance and I am certain it will do what I want it to as long as I do my part. There are alot of folks in every sport that use a product because they are paid very well to do so, not because it's an excellent product and performs extremely well for them. This year I chose to shoot Darton Archery Crossbows and have built a great relationship with Ted Harpham and his gang at Darton. It's nice to actually be part of a family and have people know your name and acknowledge your existence. Darton Archery and Ted Harpham are the ONLY crossbow manufacturer that actually attends these shoots which means they are there for their shooters to help them with any equipment issues they might have and most importantly to congratulate them for their efforts. That truly says alot about their company. I have also been shooting Leupold Optics for the last two years and can't say enough about their products and customer service. Leupold builds the best optics in the world and they can take the abuse of the crossbow's unique recoil as well as my carelessness on a few occassions this year. John Snodgrass of Leupold has been fabulous to work with this year and has been more than generous to my needs, thank you John for everything. My arrow choice is simple, Gold Tip carbon arrows. Gold Tip builds an extremely durable arrow with the best tolerances in the industry. Tim Gillingham of Gold Tip is wonderful to work with. Tim is the man to talk to about all of your Gold Tip Arrow needs. Tim is a professional archer who is extremely knowledgeable about Gold Tip products, all forms of archery including the crossbow and after a simple phone call, text message or e-mail Tim will have what you need at your door step. Thank you Tim. Daniel Grundman of Flex Fletch Products has also been very generous to my crossbow needs. Daniel has always provided me with anything I need. Daniel and Flex Fletch make the most durable vanes I have ever used. During my practice sessions at some of the local shoots I attend, the 3D targets have become very worn. With the penetrating power of today's crossbows you better be using a great vane or you'll spend most of your time re-fletching. I can tell you that when an arrow fletched with Flex Fletch Vanes penetrates into and sometimes through a target it will be absolutely perfect as you prepare to shoot the next target using that same arrow. And while we are on the subject of targets I would like to thank Josh Duncan of Morrell Targets. For years I have used Morrell Targets because I believe in their stopping power. I contacted Josh from Morrell earlier this year and he was kind enough to provide me with a fabulous target which has taken a ton of abuse from some of my long drawn out equipment evaluations and sight ins. Thank you Josh for the opportunity to be Morrell's only crossbow Pro Staffer. If I have forgotten anyone I truly apologize, this has been a very busy year for me with all of my responsibilities. I apologize for the delay in this writing and promise to have photos to my sponsors very soon. Even though this is only my second year using a crossbow I am truly amazed by the number of fabulous people, both shooters and company representatives, that I have met and become friends with. Each and everyone of you are class acts....Thank you for everything including the memories...


Sincerely,

Fred Flati