Victorian Lauryn Mark has won a quota place for the 2012 London Olympic Games for Australia in the women’s skeet at the ISSF World Cup at the Sydney International Shooting Centre. 

Mark shot a score of 70 targets from 75 in the qualifying rounds to narrowly miss out on a spot in the six-person final.

But with Sweden’s Therese Lundqvist the only athlete to finish above Mark from a country that had not won a quota place, Mark was successful in winning one for Australia. 

Mark started her second day of shooting in fine style, scoring a perfect 25 in the second round, before rounding out her event with a 22 in the third round. Her score of 70 left her in ninth place, just one target away from a six way shoot-off to make the final. 

The 30-year-old, who first shot for Australia in 2002 after moving from the United States, said to win the quota was a great relief. 

“I came here with a mission to get a performance qualifying score and try and get that quota place for Australia for the Olympics,” Mark said. 

“I would have liked to get to the final, but that wasn’t to be today, but to get the quota is great.” 

Mark’s third round was interrupted by a storm, but the Australian was unfazed by the delay. 

“I’ve been in the sport long enough to realise that when there is a break you have to accept it and move on. The targets are the same as when they were before the break.” 

Mark finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and said she was hopeful of making the team next year. 

“I realised a month or two ago that I had to make a commitment and I started working on it pretty hard again. I’ve got the focus that I need back and I want to go back. I have unfinished business after finishing fourth in Athens.” 

Only one competitor is allowed to compete from each country in the women’s skeet at the 2012 London Olympic Games and Australian International Shooting Limited will nominate its athlete to the Australian Olympic Committee in early 2012. 

The selection will be based on national rankings at the time of nomination, as well as recent performances. Mark is currently ranked number one in Australia.

Australian International Shooting