Arizona Cup: Archers battle for World Ranking points

The traditional Arizona Cup, the second World Ranking Events for the Americas in 2007, started yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) with more than 250 archers. Fighting the strong wind that blew across the gravel field, the most renowned archers on the line took the lead in the FITA Round long distances.    The Men's Recurve list of 76 archers is headed by Sydney's Olympic Silver Medallist Victor Wunderle, followed by Cristobal Merlos of El Salvador and US young archer Brady Ellison. This category has fielded well known archers as Rick McKinney (1977 and 1985 world champion), Justin Huish (1996 Olympic Gold Medallist) and the legendary Edwin Eliason (5th place at the 1972 Olympics).   No surprises on the Women's Recurve list, with the top three American ladies today: Karen Scavotto, Jennifer Nichols and Khatuna Lorig.   The Women's Compound division is topped by world record holder Jamie Van Natta, British IPC archer Danielle Brown, and the 2006 world Cup Bronze Medallist Jahna Davies.   World Indoor Champion Braden Gellenthien holds a 17-point lead in the Men's Compound competition after 72 arrows, followed by Tim Gillingham and Dave Stepp.    The competition will continue today with the short distances. Individual match play will be carried out tomorrow. For more information and results, click here... Sergio Font COPARCO Technical Delegate (Edited FITA Communication)