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Amazing world records for Peter ELZINGA (NED)!
Lausanne/Purmerend (NED) – 18 May 2009
Peter ELZINGA (NED) pushed the mythical barrier of the FITA Round even further! He set a new world record with 1419 points at an international tournament in Purmerend (NED) on Sunday. The previous mark was held by Roger HOYLE (USA) with 1414 points since 2001. ELZINGA also beat the world record at 70 metres, scoring a close to perfect 358 points (out of 360).
In archery, the mythical barrier of 1400 points in a FITA Round was first broken by Clint FREEMAN (AUS) in 1998. HOYLE pushed it to 1414 in 2001 and it was one of the oldest records in outdoor compound archery. The oldest record is the perfect 120 points (with seven X10) achieved by Dave COUSINS (USA) in 2000 on a 12-arrow match. A total of 16 world records (out of 20) have been set to new heights in this division, since the start of the Archery World Cup in 2006.
During a FITA Round, athletes shoot four rounds of 36 arrows, respectively at distances of 90, 70, 50 and 30 metres for men, and 70, 60, 50 and 30 metres for women. With 10 points maximum per arrow, the perfect score is 1440 points.
ELZINGA photo previously held the European record with 1410 points until it was beaten by Martin DAMSBO (DEN) at the recent Porec World Cup (1411). On Sunday, ELZINGA truly accomplished a fantastic feat with 63 times X10 (worth 10 points), 61 times 10, 19 times 9 and only 1 time 8 for a total of 1419 points. It is extremely difficult to be so close to perfection during such a long competition, and it is amazing to have done it in raining conditions! FITA official photographer Dean ALBERGA caught up with him shortly after the event.
When you woke up on Sunday morning and looked outside, what did you think when you saw the rain?
I turned around and wanted to crawl back into my bed. I hoped it would get better, because it really did not look good. I still forced myself to go because I needed to achieve another qualifying score for the world championships in Ulsan later this year.
How did you start shooting?
I did not start super at 90 metres. It was raining really hard but luckily there was not much wind. Despite the rain I ended up with a score of 348 and had the feeling that a 1400+ score was possible.
I was happy that the weather got better when the 70 metre distance was on. I started with three ends of sixty and had the feeling that a super score was possible. The next three ends I shot well but I was starting to feel the tension, when I realised the world record on this distance was within reach. In the end I scored a 358 which broke the world record by two points. I was really pumped!
What was next?
After the first two distances we started realising that the world record for the full FITA Round was well within reach. I started the 50 metres really strong, but halfway I became a little nervous. I began shooting some nines. I took a deep breath, and after a few ends I regained my form to end up with 353. This put my mind at ease and gave me some room at 30 metres.
With the weather close to perfect and the knowledge that I have not shot below 356 at 30 metres as long as I can remember, I started the last distance full of confidence. I did not feel any tension anymore except for maybe the last three arrows. I knew I just had to hit the yellow. But I never had the feeling that it could go wrong.
I actually made a perfect score on this distance but I missed three X10 to break this record. Anyway, 358 points at 70 metres and a total of 1419 points for the FITA Round, it’s good enough for one day!
What a fantastic performance! How do you explain it?
I have been shooting well the whole season and breaking this record was just a matter of time. I had a great indoor season and I am happy that I could continue my good form. I am not training differently than before.
A lot more 1400+ scores have been shot during the past years and I predict that there will be a lot more. Sometimes it makes you wonder where the limit will be. Personally, I think the limit has not been reached yet. Equipment is getting better and also the training methods are different than before. For myself I still see room for improvement.
Thank you Peter! Once again congratulations for these amazing world records and good luck for the rest of the season!
Didier MIEVILLE/Dean ALBERGA
FITA communication
In archery, the mythical barrier of 1400 points in a FITA Round was first broken by Clint FREEMAN (AUS) in 1998. HOYLE pushed it to 1414 in 2001 and it was one of the oldest records in outdoor compound archery. The oldest record is the perfect 120 points (with seven X10) achieved by Dave COUSINS (USA) in 2000 on a 12-arrow match. A total of 16 world records (out of 20) have been set to new heights in this division, since the start of the Archery World Cup in 2006.
During a FITA Round, athletes shoot four rounds of 36 arrows, respectively at distances of 90, 70, 50 and 30 metres for men, and 70, 60, 50 and 30 metres for women. With 10 points maximum per arrow, the perfect score is 1440 points.
ELZINGA photo previously held the European record with 1410 points until it was beaten by Martin DAMSBO (DEN) at the recent Porec World Cup (1411). On Sunday, ELZINGA truly accomplished a fantastic feat with 63 times X10 (worth 10 points), 61 times 10, 19 times 9 and only 1 time 8 for a total of 1419 points. It is extremely difficult to be so close to perfection during such a long competition, and it is amazing to have done it in raining conditions! FITA official photographer Dean ALBERGA caught up with him shortly after the event.
When you woke up on Sunday morning and looked outside, what did you think when you saw the rain?
I turned around and wanted to crawl back into my bed. I hoped it would get better, because it really did not look good. I still forced myself to go because I needed to achieve another qualifying score for the world championships in Ulsan later this year.
How did you start shooting?
I did not start super at 90 metres. It was raining really hard but luckily there was not much wind. Despite the rain I ended up with a score of 348 and had the feeling that a 1400+ score was possible.
I was happy that the weather got better when the 70 metre distance was on. I started with three ends of sixty and had the feeling that a super score was possible. The next three ends I shot well but I was starting to feel the tension, when I realised the world record on this distance was within reach. In the end I scored a 358 which broke the world record by two points. I was really pumped!
What was next?
After the first two distances we started realising that the world record for the full FITA Round was well within reach. I started the 50 metres really strong, but halfway I became a little nervous. I began shooting some nines. I took a deep breath, and after a few ends I regained my form to end up with 353. This put my mind at ease and gave me some room at 30 metres.
With the weather close to perfect and the knowledge that I have not shot below 356 at 30 metres as long as I can remember, I started the last distance full of confidence. I did not feel any tension anymore except for maybe the last three arrows. I knew I just had to hit the yellow. But I never had the feeling that it could go wrong.
I actually made a perfect score on this distance but I missed three X10 to break this record. Anyway, 358 points at 70 metres and a total of 1419 points for the FITA Round, it’s good enough for one day!
What a fantastic performance! How do you explain it?
I have been shooting well the whole season and breaking this record was just a matter of time. I had a great indoor season and I am happy that I could continue my good form. I am not training differently than before.
A lot more 1400+ scores have been shot during the past years and I predict that there will be a lot more. Sometimes it makes you wonder where the limit will be. Personally, I think the limit has not been reached yet. Equipment is getting better and also the training methods are different than before. For myself I still see room for improvement.
Thank you Peter! Once again congratulations for these amazing world records and good luck for the rest of the season!
Didier MIEVILLE/Dean ALBERGA
FITA communication
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