21 October 2006 - Round Robin started the World Cup Final

Round Robin started the World Cup Final Merida, 21 October 2006   The Round Robin shot at Merida did not serve only to seed the archers for the semi-finals of the World Cup Final tomorrow. The archers took the chance to judge themselves under the Mexican sun and to get an edge before the real show at the Mayapan Pyramids. It was also the opportunity for the juniors competing at the World Championships in Merida this week to have a look at their idols.   Photo (C) www.dutchtarget.com : Jorge Jimenez (ESA), Compound Men  Recurve Men The Round Robin was played with a regular match format, while tomorrow the special rules of 20 seconds alternate shooting will take place. Nevertheless, World Cup leader Di Buo (ITA) proved once again he is having “his best season of a long career” winning his three matches and retaining the number 1 seed for tomorrow. He will shot against Talukdar (IND) who didn’t seem too affected from his three loses today. “Tomorrow will be another day. I have a chance to win. It is hot but I am used to this weather in India and all the fans from my home club, currently competing at the Juniors World Championships, make me feel home.” Jayanta’s three loses came with a narrow margin, specially a shoot-off versus Park Kyung Mo (KOR) - 8 to 9. The Korean was not so lucky vs. Peterson (SWE) dropping the shoot-off 9 to 10. They will meet again in the semi tomorrow. Peterson said “I was the 4th qualified guys coming to Merida, I have nothing to lose. Today, it was good to go through the motions. This Round Robin released a bit the pressure. It is hot, specially for a Swedish guys but I am OK.”   Recurve Women After a very slow start, Williamson (GBR) came on top of the Round Robin. Three women were tied with 2 wins, but the British took the best of Qian Jialing (CHN) and Tonetta (ITA) in the total amount of points scored (316 vs. 314 and 310 pts). Zhang (CHN) didn’t earn any win today. To note, Tonetta also won the bronze medal of the Junior World Championships a bit later in the afternoon. Williamson said : “I didn’t have time to really think about this Final before I came here. I am replacing at the last minute a Korean archer. I just packed my staff and took the plane… I feel pretty relaxed. Tomorrow, I think the 4 archers have a chance to win. The one who will win is certainly the one who will adapt the best to the wonderful decor of the pyramids, the great atmosphere with all the young fans and the pressure of the competition. I think the 20 seconds alternate shooting instead of 30 is a good rule. It gives more pace to the match and keeps you more focus. The cheering of the British fans was quite amazing today and I am looking forward to tomorrow.   Compound Men Jimenez (ESA) was the more consistent archer today scoring 114, 115 and 115 to win his three matches. Elzinga (NED) was slightly behind getting 111, 112 and 111 pts for 2 wins. Although Jimenez comes from a Central American country, the Dutchman could be happy with the cheering he got from his own fans. The Americans Wilde and Cousins were probably not as hungry for wins as they will be tomorrow. Cousins said “I didn’t shoot well today, but tomorrow, it will be all or nothing on 12 arrows. I am used to it and I guarantee I will give some action to the live TV coverage. It will be special to be on the best stage archery has ever set with pyramids in the background. Looking at the bright side, I will not face my teammate Reo Wilde in the semis. I have been here for 6 days already, not only to get use to the heat but also to support the Americans shooting at the Junior and Cadet World Championships. One of the girls comes from my town.”   Compound Women Logic was respected with the two Russians topping the two Americans in the Round Robin. Tomorrow, Goncharova will open the big show versus Van Natta. Goncharova is ready to shoot in 20 seconds, “I had an experience of it when I shot at the exhibition matches for the new Opening of the FITA office in Lausanne this summer. I did not practice it specially because usually I shoot quickly. My holding hand (opened) is not usual but it is quite efficient for me. Today it was great to hear all the Russians fans. Everything will be said after the next 24 arrows tomorrow, but I hope I confirm my three wins at the World Cup this season.” Kazantseva will play against Davis in the other semi. The American had trouble to adapt to the wind today. “The wind was hard to judge today, it was quite different at the shooting line than at the target range. That’s OK I am looking forward to tomorrow. I don’t fear the 20 seconds shooting rule as I usually shoot quickly. It will be very exciting.”    Tomorrow competition starts at 8:35 am at the Mayapan Pyramids.   Stay tune for live results and live web TV !   Didier Miéville FITA Communication