Wiener, Mlinaric only compounders to top 700 during Veronica’s Cup qualifying

Ziga Ravnikar, Maja Jager, Nico Wiener and Amanda Mlinaric took the top seeds at the 2021 Veronica’s Cup world-ranking event during a rainy day in the Slovenian city of Kamnik.

Wiener, who shot a solid 72-arrow, 50-metre ranking round score of 713, and Amanda Mlinaric were the only two compound archers to break the 700 mark. Mlinaric’s 704 was 27 up on her nearest competitor.

“I’m feeling great. Even though it was raining today, I’m very satisfied with my shooting,” said the 19-year-old Croatian.

“During the first part of qualification, the weather was changeable. It was a bit of sun, a bit of wind and a bit of rain. But in the other half, the weather was just consistent and there was a chance to shoot high scores because it was the same all the time.”

Mlinaric shot a back half of 355 out of a possible 360 points.

Having already taken gold at the European Grand Prix in Porec in March, she’s in a strong position to add significant world-ranking points again this weekend in Slovenia.

Wiener is a former world field champion in the under-21 age group who has flashed promise but has never recorded a significant senior result. A win at the Veronica’s Cup would change that.

“In these conditions, you can only shoot your shot and trust yourself and you see the result on the target,” he said. 

“You must not think about the nines and just shoot your shot. I went to the line and just shot. You cannot change the weather, only accept it and try your best to hit the 10.”

Ziga Ravnikar headed a Slovenian one-two over the recurve men’s ranking round. Despite shooting a two in the first half, he finished three points up on compatriot Den Habjan with 661.

Olympian Maja Jager (646), Ana Umer (644) and Audrey Adiceom (640) took the top three seeds in the recurve women’s event.

Some 150 archers from 12 national teams, including France, Poland and Slovakia, plus independents are competing at this three-day world-ranking event in Slovenia.

Competition continues at the Veronica’s Cup with eliminations on Saturday. Finals will be streamed live on World Archery’s YouTube channel on Sunday.