Denmark secures 3rd consecutive World Cup pairs win

Denmark’s mixed team took victory in the gold medal match at the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Rome, beating Alberto Simonelli and Irene Franchini of hosts Italy and making it the Danes’ third title win in a row after Mexico City 2015 and Odense 2016.

Sarah Sonnichsen and Stephan Hansen arrived in Rome as the top ranked individuals as well as the best mixed team over the circuit.

"It's a lot of fun, we like it,” said Hansen, who shoots in the afternoon in the individual event for the first time. “Obviously, for me it's a good thing to be able to shoot there now and then again in two hours on the same field. But that's three times in a row we've won the World Cup Final in mixed team."

They had already taken a stage gold in 2017 in Antalya and a silver medal in Shanghai, and had little trouble taking the match from the home team in the Stadio dei Marmi.

With the Danes taking a three point lead after the first end, the Italian team found a 39 to stay alive in the second, but the Danish pair stepped on the gas to extend a large lead over the back half and win the match, 155-146.

Hansen revealed that he and Sonnichsen hadn’t been practising together as a pair.

“We didn't shoot a single arrow together. The last time we shot together was at the World Games, but it’s the same as normal, we just go out there and shoot our own arrows. It doesn't really change much,” he explained.

“Just standard routine – without sounding too arrogant!”

The 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup Final takes place on 2/3 September in Rome, Italy.