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Surrounded by other sharpshooters, scraggly-beareded
Toni Hacki lifted his long rifle and took aim across the Ruetli
meadow where Switzerland was founded in 1291, just as he had
done for the past 51 years.
But this time, his performance didn't live up to his standards,
and he decided it would be his last.
"Today went badly. My vision failed me," grumbled Hacki, who
blamed the sun getting in his eyes as he aimed.
More than 1,000 sharpshooters gathered on the shores of Lake
Lucerne last week for the annual Ruetli Shooting, an event that
has been held since the 19th century, which pays homage to the
country's foundation as a medieval confederation of cantons.
Many of the shooters competed using military-style black rifles,
wearing contemporary sports gear. Hacki wore a thick button-up
leather jacket. The barrel of his gun was wooden.
Two decades ago, Hacki was the champion. Next year, he will
return as a spectator, he said.
"I will come back but I won't shoot. That's over now."
(Reporting by Arnd Wiegmann; Writing by Michael Shields; Editing
by Peter Graff)
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