Compound archers make history with fifteen 1400s!

 Compound Men A last minute registration in the compound men’s category created some interesting discussions and worries on the field of play, as the recurve and Olympian archer Brady ELLISON (USA) photo stepped on the shooting line in order to have USA shooting in the team round (editor’s note: ELLISON was several times cadet and junior world champion in the compound division before turning to recurve). This was allowed as it was not causing any change in the competition schedule.   Fred VAN ZUTPHEN (NED) said: "I am happy that Brady (ELLISON) was allowed to shoot compound and recurve here in Porec. I understand this was OK because recurve and compound are never shooting at the same time this week. This allows the American team, No. 1 in the world, to field a compound squad. And this gives us the challenge to beat them!"   The final ranking was headed by DAMSBO (DEN) with an amazing 1411 points, as he mentioned: “Actually I thought I was struggling a bit with my shots, but the points were good all day long. I think the fifteen 1400+ scores in compound today show that the level has raised consistently, since FITA created the World Cup and more money came into the sport. Of course, the perfect weather conditions helped us a bit today!” BOE (NOR) was second with 1408 points, TATARYN (CAN) third with 1407, same score for JIMENEZ (ESA) who came back to the top after a slow start this season.   GELLENTHIEN (USA) managed to improve consistently his ranking distance after distance, and although he suffered an equipment failure (arrow rest broke), he scored 1406 points and took fifth place. He said: “This is the first time I had a bow failure and it happened just before the competition started. So I had a rough start, but I finished the day with a personal best for a FITA Round. I feel better now.”   PAGNI (ITA) also shot 1406 points, recovering a few spots in the way. Other 1400s in order of ranking were: ELZINGA (NED) 1405, TRILLUS (CAN) 1404, LUNDIN (SWE) 1404, DELOCHE (FRA) 1404 and COGHLAN (AUS) 1400. ELLISON (USA) took 25th place with 1385 points.
The FITA Events Director Juan Carlos HOLGADO expressed his amazement and congratulations to the shooters and the Porec Organising Committee for the excellent conditions and perfect storm of facilities and preparation, making this incredible feat possible. HOLGADO said: “It is obvious that the World Cup continues to attract the finest archers in our sport. Archers training and technique has combined with improved equipment to make this possible. We feel the World Cup has helped create the conditions to encourage this new level of performance.”
Looking at the team ranking, the Swedes were first with 4186 points, with the Italians just behind them with 4183 and the Dutch third with 4181.  Compound Women This category has unsurprisingly seen the American VAN NATTA keeping the lead all along and showing she is the No. 1 with 1410 points, followed by local BUDEN photo who shot 1406 points for the first time. BUDEN said: “I blew up my previous record by 19 points! I don’t know how I did it, I am still shaking. Except the last arrow at 50m, all my shots were good. I think it’s a combination of many aspects. I keep improving my technique, I am very happy with my equipment and the shooting conditions were perfect today.”   GONCHAROVA and LOGINOVA from Russia are respectively third and fourth with 1402 and 1401 points. SIMPSON (GBR), who broke the 60m and 70m Master European and world records earlier, ranked seventh with 1390 points.   On the team side, Italy came back strong to lead with 4128 points, with Russia behind by one single point (4127). The Netherlands are third with 4115 points.   Chantal STEINER FITA Communication