LITHUANIA: Cannon enthusiasts gather to take part in inaugural competition, shooting fruit out of home-made machines

Lithuania's cannon enthusiasts gathered on Sunday (August 13) to take part in a unique competition where they shoot grapefruit, apples, oranges and melons out of home-made copies of antique machines. The competition took part in the small village of Nemunaitis, 120 kilometres from the capital Vilnius, and attracted six teams with home-made machines. The organisers believe there is no other competition like it in the world. "This is the first of its kind in Lithuania and, maybe in the world, in terms of competitions for cannon shooting fruit. Since we are against war and terrorism we like to suggest shooting from cannon with grapefruit, coconuts or oranges, only," said organiser Gintaras Surkus. The competition was made up of two stages - the longest shoot, and the most accurate - where the fruit is shot at a target. The longest shoot was won by a team calling themselves 'Gaga', a shortened version of 'Gargarin' after the first man in space, Yuri Gargarin. Nobody was able to hit the target, which was 50 metres from the firing line. Audience members were delighted with the event. "It is a very good and original idea (to provide a competition such as this) and I hope to go to more competitions like this, so our lives are filled with more fun and pleasure," said one of the crowd, Aurimas Vengrys. "I am waiting for fun events like this one, because we have so many serious and sad events, and there is a shortage of fun events, like this," said Roma Martisiene. Team 'Gaga' took the honours for the competition, and was awarded a winner's cup and a prize of 1000 litas (approx 290 euros).

ITN Source | August 15, 2006

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