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Round 10: The Final
Shot
August 15
(C-Note: The
challenges that you are about to read have been
designed, tested, supervised, and played by experienced
marksmen operating on a closed course. They are
extremely dangerous and should never be attempted by
anyone, anywhere, at any time.)
Eight weeks ago, we met sixteen
of the nation’s finest sharpshooters. Of that original group,
only four remain: Iain Harrison, the former British Army
captain; Peter Palma, the Marine sniper; JJ Racaza, the Homeland
Security agent; and Chris Cerino, the firearms instructor. They
will all run a gauntlet of challenges, but only one will make it
through to the other side. Waiting for that one, $100,000 and
the title of the first Top Shot.
On the last day, there are three back-to-back challenges.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE #1
Using a Beretta 92F, you will have 60 seconds and 40 rounds to
flip 12 targets to your designated color, while your opponent
will be trying to do the same on the same range. The two winners
of the first round are safe, while the two losers will face off
to determine who will be the first player eliminated from the
season finale.
Heat 1: JJ (Red) vs. CHRIS (Blue)
WINNER: JJ, 11-1
Heat 2: PETER (Red) vs. IAIN (Blue)
WINNER: Iain, 7-3
Elimination Heat: PETER (Red) vs. CHRIS (Blue)
WINNER: Chris, 11-1. Peter Palma has taken his last shot.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE #2
Choosing amongst six previous weapons, multiple targets,
distances and stances, the players will take their shots. The
other players must duplicate that shot. Hit targets are 1 point.
Call it an old-fashioned game of horse. Most points go to the
final challenge.
JJ is first. He picks the Schofield, bottom window pane, 50
yards, one-hand standing.
JJ: MISS
Iain: HIT (1)
Chris: MISS
Iain takes the S&W, M&P, shot glasses at 50 feet, two hands.
Iain: HIT (2)
Chris: HIT (1)
JJ: MISS
Meaning that Iain is locked into the final. Chris orders up the
HK39 with a mug of colored beer at 100 yards. If Chris makes the
shot, then JJ goes home.
Chris: MISS
JJ: MISS. JJ Racaza has taken his final shot. And your final
matchup is set.
THE FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE
Chris and Iain walk to the final challenge... and notice that
the five eliminated players from the individual challenges have
returned to watch.
It all comes down to this. In a moment, one person will win
$100,000. The other is going to get capped. It is a weaponry
gauntlet...
1) Throw one Bowie knife at a wood block 11 feet away.
2) Hit a bullseye with a longbow at 50 yards.
3) Hit five bottles with the Colt Peacemaker at 25 feet.
4) Sever a rope at 35 feet with the Winchester ’73.
5) Fire a Beretta 92F through a 1.5-inch tube at 25 feet.
6) Hit six targets with the AR-15 at 100 yards.
7) Hit two targets at 100 and 300 yards using the M-14.
The first person to finish all seven stations will earn the
title of Top Shot.
Shake hands... Come out shooting.
This is for money. Marksmen ready... Set... GO!
This is Chris’ first shot at the bow. It shows, as Iain easily
beats him in one shot. Chris catches up at the bottles. Iain
already drills two. Chris catches up and passes while Iain is
reloading. Iain catches up... and passes! He goes on to the rope
shot first. Chris passes the rope first, Iain catches up. Both
are at the Beretta now. And Iain hits with his first shot. Two
stations left. We’re tied again. And... Iain goes to the final
station first! Chris follows...
Iain hits his first target first. Chris misses... then connects!
This is going to come down to the final shot.
CEASE FIRE! And the first winner of Top Shot is...
...
...
IAIN! Congratulations, you’ve won $100,000 and the title of Top
Shot! Per a post-script in the show, he has no plans for the
winnings. Oh, and Quisla has a message. “For Queen and country,
pop a cap.”
Oh yeah, two things. 1) Chris Cerino, you’ve fired your last
shot. And two, a post-script. Tara left the competition due to
her father’s declining health. He has since died. This finale is
posted in his honor.
The question now... who’s next? Stay tuned for Top Shot 2,
coming soon.
For more information on "Top Shot
2"
or to view this episode in its entirety,
visit www.history.com/topshot.
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