Titusville, FL - Professional shooter Jessie Abbate won the Women's Open and Limited titles at the Steel Nationals held in Titusville, Florida this past weekend. Abbate also won the Steel Master title - a title awarded to the aggregate champion. With this victory, Abbate defended her 2010 Steel Master title. This marks Abbate's first major title of the 2011 shooting season.
The Steel Nationals is a match that is the sister event of the Steel Challenge - an event also known as the world speed shooting championships. The Titusville event is held in the beginning of the competitive shooting year, usually in March, and the Steel Challenge takes place near the end of the season.
The "Steel Challenge is one of my favorite disciplines to shoot, and I spend a lot of time training for it, "said Abbate. "There is constant room for improvement, and I feed off of the speed. I am extremely proud to take the Ladies Open and Limited titles again this year, along with the coveted Steel Master title! This marks my 5th consecutive Steel Master win at the Steel Nationals!"
Abbate said that the Steel Nationals is a great match and is fun to shoot. "This match," said Abbate, "is a lot of fun. It is quick, exciting, and presents different challenges in the area of steel shooting. This is a great match for shooters of all skill levels." Abbate returned to the match this year as the defending women's champion from 2010.
The weather was perfect at the annual event. "We couldn't have asked for better weather," said Abbate, "with the sun shining and warm Florida weather, it was perfect match conditions on race day!" The great weather, along with great preparation and a desire to defend her title, put Abbate on the winner's podium again in 2011.
Abbate is looking forward to the 2011 season. She is preparing to defend titles at the National Action Pistol Championship, the Pro-Am, the Steel Challenge, the USPSA Nationals, and at many of the area events. The Steel National title is Abbate's first major championship of the 2011 shooting season (unless noted, all championships are Women's titles). Her career shooting resume includes World Speed Shooting Championships (Steel Challenge) in 2007, 2008 (Ladies Limited only), 2009 and Limited and Steel Master titles in 2010. USPSA Production National Championships in 2007, USPSA Limited and Limited 10 Championships in 2008, USPSA Production and Limited Championships in 2009, and USPSA Limited Championship in 2011; a Pro-Am Championship in both Limited and Open in 2009 and 2010; Steel Challenge National titles in Limited, .22 Open and Open in 2007, Steel Challenge Nationals Limited Champion and Lady Steel Master in 2008, Steel Challenge National s .22 Open Champion, Limited, Open and Steel Master in 2009 and 2010, and Limited, Open and Steel Master in 2011; USPSA MultiGun Tactical Division titles in 2007 and 2008; Western 3 Gun World Cup titles in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008; and numerous USPSA Area championships and titles in Single Action Shooting.
JESSIE ABBATE'S EQUIPMENT LIST:
Abbate's Gun Sponsor is SMITH & WESSON - an American legend and premier firearms manufacturer
Abbate's Bullets are from HORNADY - maker of the finest bullets available
Abbate's optical sight is from LEUPOLD - optics that are renowned for their unchallenged ruggedness, absolute waterproof integrity, and their vastly superior optical quality
Abbate's practice targets are from GT TARGETS - where you will not find a higher quality or more reasonably priced stand anywhere. If it breaks, GT will fix or replace it FREE.
Abbate's ammunition is from ATLANTA ARMS AND AMMO - maker of dependable, high quality ammunition that you can count on
Jessie Abbate is represented by August Sports Promotions - a Maryland/Washington, D.C. based sports representation agency that specializes in representing athletes from the outdoor sports. For information about Jessie Abbate, please contact the offices of August Sports Promotions.
