Vegas Shoot on target to break entry record again

Organisers of The Vegas Shoot have reported that registrations to the 2017 edition of the mass participation archery competition numbered 3125 individuals at the close of the normal entry period on 24 January. An incredible 275 people registered on the last day.

That total figure is over 300 more than the previous year with the same time remaining before the event, and nearly 100 more than eventually competed in 2016.

“Over the past five years, The Vegas Shoot has nearly doubled in size. Each year, we go bigger and better – and attract more people from the US and around the globe to join us in the largest single location archery festival in the world,” said NFAA and Vegas Shoot President Bruce Cull.”

The tournament attracts both intermediate and world-class archers, who may choose to shoot in the flight divisions, with more opportunity to win prizes, or championship categories for a chance to win the biggest payouts of the year. The event also includes a large junior section.

In 2013, 1811 archers attended Vegas. That number rose to 2165 in 2014, 2573 in 2015 and 3050 in 2016. It is expected to settle at around 3400 for 2017.

“It’s becoming more and more challenging to accommodate the huge demand for The Vegas Shoot – but our goal is to continue to grow its appeal, the enjoyment of those who attend and the number of archers on the shooting line,” added Cull.

“We celebrated the 50th anniversary with fireworks last year and can promise more of the same excitement this time around.”

The Vegas Shoot celebrated its half-century in 2016 by raising the top prize in the men’s unlimited championship division, compound under World Archery rules, to $50,000. It was won by Italian archer Sergio Pagni, who entered the final shootdown as the lucky dog (the top 899 shooter).

For 2017, the championship division has been opened up to both male and female competitors, with reigning compound women’s world number one Sara Lopez among the women to have entered.

The total prize fund for Vegas has also increased dramatically over the past few years. In 2015, it was $275,000 – then increased to $326,000 in ’16, and now totals over $400,000 in cash and scholarships for the upcoming 2017 edition.

Late entries to The Vegas Shoot will be accepted until the tournament date at an increased rate.

The Vegas Shoot, incorporating the fourth stage and final of the Indoor Archery World Cup, runs 10-12 February 2017 in the SouthPoint Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, USA. The Indoor Archery World Cup Final takes place on the evening of 11 February and World Archery Gala on 12 February.

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