This is a quote from Ken Watkins.....I' m putting it a new post so everyone will see it. Hope this helps explain what happened on Saturday.

Curtis Locker II
IBO State Rep. / Ohio
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A Clarification: What Happened and Why

Saturday morning of the 2003 IBO World Championships saw a cascade of unprecedented events unfold that combined to influence those involved in all levels of tournament management.
Just after dawn, a heavy fog at range check-in points made shooting conditions far from optimal and safe. Soon thereafter, an official Red Alert was announced (lightning/electrical storms in area).
Around 9:30 a.m., the lightning alert was lifted. At that time, range officials decided to start sending groups from the start points from C/D/E (where I was, at that time), as well as most of the other ranges.
Unfortunately, in a short period of time, another Red Alert was called and the ranges were shut down.
Then, as it grew closer to 11: 00 a.m., officials were faced with the potential of “go/no go” situation—the cut-off point when it was logistically impossible for all participants to shoot a full 20-target course in the remaining amount of daylight.
In past years, the IBO guideline regularly utilized under such a scenario has been to go to the last common target for the finals on Sunday.
However, this situation was unique because many classes had not yet shot on common ranges. As a result, it was decided to take the top five from every range/every class combination. If the class was split between ranges, scores started back at zero for the final. Simply, it is not equitable to compare scores from one range to another in this situation.
The classes that shot on a single range on Friday carried their scores for a combined score. Again, there was precedence for this procedure based on past IBO tournaments and decisions.
A clarification about the Red Alert system is also appropriate due to rumor and hearsay. This system is called Thorgard®. It is an automated system that tracks activity in a circle of 15 miles from Snowshoe. If the system detects conditions to be prime for a local lightning strike, a Red Alert is called. As further explanation, a single lightning strike can travel more than 10 miles from its point of origin.
Ignoring such a Red Alert would be negligent on behalf of Snowshoe staff and the IBO.
On the matter of closure of the practice range during the Red Alert—it was done, several times. As soon as an official was out of sight, someone began shooting again.

The IBO Board is in the process of examining further contingencies should such a situation occur in the future (Some were suggested to me Saturday at a much higher than normal volume.) One possibility is a four-day event with the last day as a weather contingency. Another is placing the course starting points lower, with 15 targets to a range. Additional ranges are also being discussed, to bring the start times into a 8:00-to-2:00 time frame.
Hindsight gives each of us a clarity to see what each of us may have done differently. Equity and format required us to go in the directions that were taken. We can change those structures for next time. But to change the process in the middle would deny equitable opportunity for all competitors.
All participants from this year will be notified by letter as soon as any changes or contingencies are official.
The decisions made by the IBO Board and Tournament Staff on Saturday were neither easy nor anticipated. They are decisions no one ever wants to make. We also knew the reaction would be mixed, and unpopular with some. However, shooter safety and well-being is, and will continue to be, the first priority for this and all IBO events.

Ken Watkins