22 November 2007 - Interview with Alan WILLS (GBR)

Interview with Alan WILLS (GBR) Dubai – 22 November 2007  This afternoon the finalists of the Archery World Cup 2007 had a second opportunity to practice on a practice field set up for them in a shooting club. There we met Briton Al Wills - one of the contenders in Recurve Men - and asked him a few questions.   How does it feel to be here in Dubai? Brilliant!   How have you been preparing since Dover in August? I had a couple of weeks break. Then, I started building up training again. The year had two peaks: one was Leipzig and the other is Dubai. I did the same training periods twice this year.   What are your expectations for this Final? I have no expectations. I will do my best and enjoy it!   What do you think of this year’s format for this final, compared to last year’s round robin? It’s fine. For me, using the four series ranking is fair. It’s better this way rather than a round robin. I find it even more fair, since in a round robin, if there is two archers from the same country, they might play with the results to take advantage of it…   Let’s talk about the future already! What do you plan for next year? I will be in the World Cup Series – except Antalya, probably – and hope to make it to the Final again. I will use the World Cup as a preparation for Beijing, as well. I will probably not take part in the competition in Antalya, because the timing is not really good. The European Championships are just a few days after Antalya. Moreover, we have three selections periods for the Olympics, two before Antalya and one afterwards. My participation in Antalya will depend on my results in the first two selections.   What do you do for a leaving? Are you a full-time archer? I’m a carpenter. In fact, I just stopped working one month ago. Before, I was a full-time carpenter and a full-time archer at the same time… Since I have had a shoulder problem, both work and archery related, I have made the choice to stop working and shoot only. Financially, I get helped from UK Sports.   Thanks a lot and good luck!   Ludivine Maitre Wicki FITA Communication