Our After Action Report

At the end of May, the fourth edition of LYNX BRUTALITY took place in Slovenia, organized by POLENAR TACTICAL at the LYNX PRO TRAINING CENTER.

About 120 participants from various countries around the world took on the challenge. Again this year, many cameras were focused on the participants. Well-known Guntubers and sponsored shooters could be seen in the wonderful livestream, cheering them on. Besides the official livestream, there were also hot irons on-site that accompanied the spectacle via Twitch.

We were also present as participants and faced the challenges. The whole thing actually began with buying the ticket, which is always quite an experience since they sell out very quickly. POLENAR tried this year with a divided registration wave. Whether that worked better is questionable. It was definitely better for everyone who was unavailable at the first registration time.

Once registration was successful, it was time to travel to Slovenia. On the day before the actual shooting starts, one picks up the goodie bag and can ensure that all necessary documents for participation are signed. Then it's time to try to sleep. Before you know it, you find yourself back at the shooting range, heading down the hill to the quarry for the briefing.

Ziga gives his speech and explains the safety rules. At the end, the most important sentence – Mandatory Fun! Everyone should have fun too. Easier said than done – because it seems that many new faces are present, likely participating in a Brutality event for the first time. An info email shortly before the start from POLENAR also indicates that many newcomers are taking part. For Polenar and the Lynx Training Center, this is of course a risk, as the Lynx Brutality event attracts more and more participants with increasing recognition, but as the organizer, you don't always know the skills of the shooters. Accordingly, there is always a high focus on safety throughout the event to ensure this. Also for the safety of the participants themselves.

After the big briefing, we go straight to the first stage with our comrades who are in the same squad. Joining us is the good Flo, better known as Spätzleoperator, as well as Daniel from the EICHENWERK team and Amy9x19's partner Amy9x19. We will accompany Amy9x19 in the afternoon when it's her turn. A few German colleagues and a Swiss participant are also along.

This year, we don't want to go into too much detail about the stages, as they are extensively covered in the livestream and various YouTube videos.

Nevertheless, here are some highlights. Instead of an electric shock, there is a minefield this year. Tensioned strings trigger a blank shotgun shell. Here is an unfortunate participant who just got caught. Now he must put on a tourniquet and then continue.

Action is also provided by the Hostage Rescue Stage. Here, you can see Spätzleoperator driving along a cable car at a height. Participants can wear a climbing harness for this (our choice), or they can also use their own riggers belt. Spätzleoperator opts for the latter and puts the Jed Belt from MD-Textil to the test. It holds!

Exhausting – Sisyphus Drill Stage. From a tube, you must shoot through a cross slot at a target 150 meters away. After each hit, a 24-kilogram kettlebell awaits outside the platform, which you must carry up and then throw back down. In this stage, it shows who has enough strength and endurance. The tunnel also punishes all participants who shoot with a muzzle brake.

Whoever competes in the Lynx Brutality can choose from three divisions. Open, without any equipment restrictions. Irons, where you can only shoot with iron sights and have magazine restrictions. Armored, where there is a specific packing list of equipment, and you must also exceed 12 kilograms with the equipment.

The Armored Division is considered the elite class. To avoid potentially misleading distinctions, this year the scrutiny is tight and weights are checked. The equipment is randomly checked for completeness throughout the day for competitors. About three participants were categorized into the Open class due to non-compliance.

This year, many plastic targets are also being used, as well as No-Shoot targets, usually placed beneath them. Participants should therefore know their zero exactly, otherwise they will rack up penalty minutes.

On the second competition day, many participants have better stages. More action naturally means more fun. Here is the Car Park Stage. You have to work from car to car, throwing a flashbang and shooting at many steel targets. The car windows are not very large, and you can easily get caught up in your gear. Equipment gets lost. One of our squad members loses his holster with his pistol in it and subsequently receives a DQ. Unfortunately tragic, but one learns from mistakes.

The next highlight is the FX Stage. Here, the shooting is not sharp. Instead, M-TX ammunition from Arex is used. Before the start of the stage, a black sack is pulled over your head, and your hands are handcuffed. Then you are led into a building and dragged from room to room. 

Before the start signal sounds, you are shot at with M-TX ammunition. This leaves a splash of color and a small spot on some. You have to unlock the handcuffs with a key and treat the wounded leg using a tourniquet. In front of you are a long gun and a handgun; now you must clear the building and shoot all targets. A fantastic change from the other stages and a true innovation at the Lynx Brutality. 

Apart from the ongoing competition, you can browse the Gun Expo and find a variety of exhibitors. STEINADLER, OBERLAND ARMS, and many more. Along with STEYR ARMS and AREX, who are also exhibiting. Here are blue M-TX weapons from AREX, including a STEYR AUG, which has recently been acquired by the Bundesheer for training purposes. 

POLENAR is also represented with a booth. One of the few places where you can actively buy something. 

We are drawn to Blackbear Solution – they are currently offering a course with Travis Haley. At the booth itself, you can find Gucci Gear and also grab some small items. 

At the end of the day, the prize-giving ceremony takes place. At this point, we would like to congratulate Amy9x19 from EICHENWERK, who was able to replicate her top result from last year. First place in the Open Division for women and second place for women in the overall standings – congratulations! In the men's category, an Austrian took second place in the Open Division, also placing third overall. Congratulations to him as well! 

After the award ceremony, the prize draw takes place. The prize table is richly set, and many participants go home with prizes worth several hundred euros. 

And where do we stand? We managed to secure fifth place in the Armored Division, which we are satisfied with. Fortunately, there were no issues with the weapons, an Oberland Arms SL10 and a Glock 45 with Radian Weapons compensator. Everything worked flawlessly. 

Hopefully, we can snag a ticket again next year to have some fun.

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