Schloesser extends indoor dominance in Vittel

World number one Mike Schloesser scored 598 out of a possible 600 points to top the compound men’s ranking round at the World Archery Europe Indoor Championships in Vittel, France. Mister Perfect Schloesser dropped both points over the last three ends of the 60-arrow qualification session and, at the close of the 2016-17 indoor season, remains the only archer to have shot a perfect round in competition.

“This is probably the most points I’ve dropped in the last five competitions or so. It has no effect on my confidence as the shots felt good. I guess I was a little unlucky with the pin position – and although 600 would have been great, I will take 598 for today,” said Mike. 

“I still feel confident with my shooting and my equipment is also in order. I shoot the same bow that I won Vegas with.”

Sarah Prieels, Artem Makhnenko and and Tatiana Biltrikova were the other top seeded athletes in the senior divisions.

Prieels, shooting for Belgium, shot a perfect 30-arrow back half to jump into the lead and ultimately come within a point of the compound women’s world and European records.

“I lost too many points because of a few bad ends in the first 30 arrows and was pretty angry at myself. Shooting 300 in the second half makes up for a lot,” she said. “I hope it will give me a boost for the rest of the competition.”

Among the recurve archers on the line was Athens 2004 Olympic Champion Marco Galiazzo. He seeded third, two points behind recurve men’s leader Makhnenko, from Russia, and Ukrainian archer Sergii Makarevych, who finished second at the world indoors in 2016.

“I am happy to be back on the international shooting line. It is funny to see that I am one of the ‘old guys’ now. There are a lot of young talents rising up which is good for the sport,” said Galiazzo. “I will try to make the team for the world championships in Mexico later this year. It will be a challenge but I am on track.”

Top seeded archers in the junior divisions included Erdal Meric Dal, Tatiana Andreoli, Nico Wiener and Mariya Shkolna.

The World Archery Europe Indoor Championships take place 5-12 March 2017 in Vittel, France.