The unexpected gift of a major international for the Swiss team
Switzerland is hosting a stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup for the first time ever and it’s taking place this week at the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne.
This city has actually hosted two editions of the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final but that’s a tiny field of competitors and the competition only consists of matchplay. A stage of the circuit is different – there are 100s of archers, the tournament consists of 100s of arrows and there’s plenty of events and opportunities to shine.
This competition was supposed to take place in its traditional location of Shanghai but it was relocated due to ongoing travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
The move has resulted in an exciting opportunity for a relatively young and relatively unknown Swiss team to attack a world-class competition on home soil. Iliana Deineko, who trains all year long at the facility, knows the field, knows the environment – but understands it will be a very different atmosphere.
“I’m very proud to shoot at home because it’s my country. But it’s not the regular [practice] field [at the Centre] and in the end, it’s like any competition,” said Deineko, not dismissive of the pressures but aware that she won’t feel the same comfort in this familiar location.
The Swiss team does not have professional archers.
Athletes usually have to pay to train and to compete, and archery is a secondary life away from their main jobs.
It is, therefore, unusual for Switzerland to field a large team at international tournaments and Shanghai would have been too expensive and too complicated for most of the squad competing this week. Lausanne is much closer.
“Of course, I want to win,” said Iliana, when asked about her expectation for the week. “To reach the finals in a World Cup is a big challenge, but I think we can have some results with the teams. I feel really good with the women’s team and we have good teams in general.”
Iliana has one eye on the transformation of the World Archery Excellence Centre from her normal practice venue to an international tournament stage.
It mirrors the change in mindset she needs to make to perform in the event.
“It’s funny because we know most of the volunteers and we are likely to speak with them,” she said. “But we have to stay focused on the competition and we’ll see what this week can bring.”
Ultimately, after a challenging period for everybody, this event is a guilt-free opportunity for the Swiss team.
It’s been a long time since Switzerland has won an international archery medal, though not that long until it had regular contenders like Patrizio Hofer, and this week almost feels like a chance to reset, renew – or just remember – winning days.
At the very least, they’re probably better equipped to deal with the weather.
Competition starts with qualification on Tuesday in Lausanne.
