THE first of this year’s series of National and International Stone-Skimming Championships, the ‘Welsh Open’, was staged at the Abernant Lake Hotel, Llanwrtyd Wells, on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 28.

Attracting top exponents from as far afield as South Africa, the event was blessed with fine weather and near perfect conditions.

World Class distances were achieved in all categories with World Veteran Champion Ron Long taking the Open Title Gold with a skim of 99 metres (110 yards).

Ron is once again on course to do the Grand Slam of significant events including the Swiss Open next month on Lake Constance; the English Open on Windermere in August, defending his title at both locations; and the World Championships on Easdale Island, Scotland, which rounds-off the calendar in late September.

Picture: From left are, Silver medallist (96m) Alex Lewis of Helensburgh, Gold medallist (99m) Ron Long of Welshpool and Bronze medallist (92m) Gareth Twamley from Cardiff.