Lopez leads by 21 points; tops Salt Lake ranking

Three-time Archery World Cup Champion Sara Lopez scored 697 out of a possible 720 points to top the compound women’s ranking round at the third tage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA.

“I don’t know how I did it but it was flowing,” she said. “I was aiming all the time in the eight at nine o’clock, and that’s where I shot them and the wind dragged them.”

Sara’s score was the second best on the compound field, only two points behind top compound man Kris Schaff, who had 699. She led at the halfway point.

Lopez landed only two of her 72 arrows outside of the yellow ring on a day that saw plenty of reds shot due to inconsistent and uncomfortable winds. She finished 21 points ahead of second seed Sophie Dodemont from France, with Linda Ochoa-Anderson seeding third on 667 points.

“It was very difficult, I think one of the hardest competition I’ve ever shot, and I feel exhausted. Today I was focusing not on the numbers or being first but on not ruining my technique to get used to the wind for the individual eliminations,” said Lopez.

France’s Dodemont described her Colombian opponent as an alien: “I think she’s one because of her score. With these conditions, she really did well and it’s impressive.”

The French woman returned to the circuit in Shanghai after a four-year international hiatus.

“My last arrows were difficult because I was feeling all the strength used during the first half,” said Dodemont. “I enjoyed shooting and considering the conditions, this is a lot much better than I expected.”

Linda Ochoa-Anderson of Mexico seeded third with 667 points in a field close to where she lives with husband and US archer Steve Anderson – albiet one she rarely trains on.

“It’s normally this windy or worse, so I normally train indoors. I think my score was a bit low compared to what I know I can shoot, but it was like this for all of us, not just me,” said Linda.

Toja Ellison and Natalia Avdeeva completed the top five positions with 666 and 665 points, respectively.

“I’m happy being fourth. I’m actually happy with how I shot in the wind, especially in the second half,” said Toja. “This wind never really gave us a break so there was no way of managing the wind.”

Janine Meissner, Sarah Prieels and Chen Li Ju also receive byes for finishing within the top eight.

The third stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Salt Lake City, USA on 18-24 June.