6 July 2011 - Another world record for USA on the way to the final

Another world record for USA on the way to the final Turin – 6 July 2011   The US men’s compound team set up the match world record at 239 points. Like in the Porec and Antalya World Cups, they will meet Denmark in the final. On the women’s side, the USA will meet I. R. Iran.   The compound teams played their matches until the semifinals on Thursday afternoon.   Compound Men TeamIn the first elimination round, the match between the No. 8 seeded team France and No. 9 Venezuela remained undecided all the way through, but the Europeans were in the lead after each end (59-58, 118-116, 177-175, 236-233) to go on to the next round. Korea (5) had a slow start, trailing 57-59 after the first six arrows in their face-to-face against Italy (12). But they came back and took the lead at the half-way mark (116-115) to never let it go and even increase it up to the end (176-173, 236-229).   After a new world record in qualification (2130 in the 50m Round), Team USA with BROADWATER/GELLENTHIEN/WILDE set another 24-arrow final match world record in quarterfinal with 239, one point away from a perfect score! The previous mark (237) was already set by the Americans at the World Cup Stage 2 in Antalya back in June. Their only 9 in the quarterfinal round in Turin was released at the opening of the second half (13th arrow). Needless to say, USA won their match against France who shot 231. Other teams proceeding to the semifinals were Korea, Denmark, and Canada.   In the semifinals, the highest score of the round was actually achieved by Denmark. The Danish started with a perfect 60 and followed it up with three 59s. Total score: 237. Canada lost his chance at the beginning with ends of 58 and 57. They finished strong with 60 and 59, but could only go to 234.   The USA met a surprising team of Korea in the other semifinal. The score was tied at 57-57 in the first end. Then USA raised their level, while Korea dropped it a notch. The Americans scored ends of 59, 59 and 58, while the Koreans had 55, 58 and 57. For the third time in a row (after the Porec and Antalya World Cup Stages) and fourth time in two years, USA and Denmark will meet in the gold final. USA has won every encounter so far.   Compound Women TeamAs in compound men Venezuela (5) and France (12) faced each other in the first round. After the first end, the Frenchwomen CHESSE/LEBECQUE/TCHEPIKOFF were in the lead by two points (57-55). However, the score then reversed: 114-111 for BOSCH/GUEDEZ/MENDOZA at the half-way mark. France recovered and came back close at 169-170 with only one end to go. But they could not get back completely and remained one point behind at the end. Victory for Venezuela 224-223! The match between No. 2 Korea and No. 15 ended up with a big upset. After a tie after six arrows (52-52) the Mexicans took a 6-point advantage 110-104 after the first half and increased it with one end to go (168-160). They finally clinched victory 223-218.   In the first quarterfinal between USA (1) and Italy (8), the host country with LONGO/SALVI/TONIOLI started with a 58-point first end. ANSCHUTZ/COLIN/VAN NATTA scored 55 and trailed by three. In the second end the scores were reversed for each team (58 for USA and 55 for ITA) and the match was tied at 113-113. With only 10s and 9s in the third end Team USA took the lead for the first time, 170-168 before the last end. The two teams had the same last end (58 each) and the advantage remained for an American victory, 228-226. The U.S. ladies will face Venezuela (5) in the semifinals thanks to a win 226-225 over Russia (4). The second semifinal will be between Iran (3), who beat Canada 221-218, and Mexico (15), who defeated Belgium 224-221.   In the first semifinal BOSCH/GUEDEZ/MENDOZA (VEN) took the lead 58-57 but were caught up by their contenders at 114-114 after the first half. In the third end ANSCHUTZ/COLIN/VAN NATTA scored five 10s and one 9 to lead 173-168 with only six arrows to go. Decision was made and the gap remained at the end for a victory for USA, 230-225. The second semifinal between Iran and Mexico was decided even earlier in the match. After the first end HALIMIANAVVAL/MAHTAB/SARLAK led by four points, 58-54, already. They gained one more point after the first half (115-111). Both teams scored the same 56-point third series for the same difference at 171-167. CRISTANTO/DE LA CONCHA/OCHOA was totally overpassed by the 10-10-10-9-10-10 released by their opponents in the last end: victory 230-222 for Iran!   Ludivine MAITRE WICKI / Didier MIEVILLE World Archery Communication