France beat India by one point, 229-228, to win the compound women’s team title at the fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup stage in Berlin, Germany, handing India a second silver in the event on the season.
“We felt good and we beat our French record in eliminations, so today it was about staying on this trajectory and shooting without regret. That’s what we did and it worked,” said Sophie Dodemont.
It had been years since the French women had brought back a team medal.
Seeded 11th after qualification, the team beat a national record with 232 points for the 24-arrow 50-metre match in the first round. The previous score of 229 dated from 2011 and was shot in Antalya.
France then upset Russia and Chinese Taipei to reach the final.
Dodemont, Sandra Herve and Amelie Sancenot trailed 59-57 after the first end of the gold medal match, but drew it level at 116 each at the halfway mark.
The third end was pivotal.
France shot 58 while India posted 53, Muskan Kirar putting one arrow really low in the six and one high, a red.
Kirar, Trisha Deb and Jyothi Surekha Vennam fought tooth and nail to drag themselves back into contention, scoring 59 for the final end. After two eights, Sancenot found herself needing a perfect 10 to win.
“I knew it was going to be in [the 10] when I shot and it was good. It was a big relief,” said Amelie.
It was Herve’s first appearance in the finals arena.
“I think it helps to be a bit more relaxed to make a first arena with a team, because we can communicate and slip a little joke,” she said. “I dreaded it a little but in the end it’s a good experience for the future.”
After two compound women’s team silver medals on the tour in 2018, in Antalya and Berlin, India will wait another year to attempt to win its first gold in the discipline.
Top seed Turkey beat Chinese Taipei, 232-228, in the bronze medal match.
The fourth stage of the 2018 Hyundai Archery World Cup takes place in Berlin, Germany on 16 to 22 July.
