Preview: 1000-plus archers Nimes-bound for World Series event
The storied stop of the indoor circuit in Nimes is back to capacity in 2023 – and that’s great news for the international 18-metre circuit. After years of restrictions due to the pandemic, more than 1000 archers are set to take to the shooting line at the Parc des Expos in southern France this weekend.
(That is, of course, if they manage to get there. Transport strikes this weekend in the country are causing disruption but organisers are trying to accommodate any unavoidable delays.)
For the first time ever, the youth finals in Nimes – now officially called the Sud de France Archery Tournament in homage to the importance of the event for local tourism – will award trophies for the whole indoor circuit. The under-21 winners will become the first Indoor Archery World Series Youth Champions.
Nimes has long been a rite of passage for aspiring archers in Europe – but this year’s event has attracted an unusually high number of entries from afar, including from Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.
Might it have something to do with the fact that indoor events now offer world ranking points? And that, in just over a year’s time, those ranking points might just prove crucial for someone looking to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games? Probably.
Key information
What’s happening? The third event of this season’s Indoor Archery World Series, the Sud de France Archery Tournament on 20-22 January 2023 in Nimes, France. This year it includes the first-ever Indoor Archery World Series Youth Finals.
What’s at stake? Titles, prize money and points towards the Indoor Archery World Series Finals – plus the first-ever circuit crowns for under-21s.
What’s the story? Having been condensed for the past two years due to pandemic restrictions, the mass-participation 18-metre circuit is finally back to full capacity. More than 1000 archers will compete in Nimes this weekend.
Schedule
- Friday 20 January: Qualification
- Saturday 21 January: Qualification and eliminations
- Sunday 22 January: Indoor Archery World Series Youth Finals (morning) and event finals (afternoon)
How to watch
World Archery will stream the Indoor Archery World Series Youth Finals and event finals from the Sud de France Archery Tournament live on its YouTube channel on Sunday 22 January.
Live scores will be available on the World Archery website and there will be coverage on World Archery‘s digital platforms throughout the competition.
Hometown hero
Nico Girard had a year to remember in 2022, winning the Indoor Archery World Series Finals in Las Vegas before taking his first-ever victory at a stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Paris in the summer. The 22-year-old, who lives less than an hour’s drive from Nimes, was also second at this event last year, losing just the final to French teammate JP Boulch.
Now a proven competitive commodity, Girard has to be a favourite – even in this year’s mightily expanded field.
Last year’s winners
- Recurve men: Felix Wieser, Germany
- Recurve women: Lisa Barbelin, France
- Compound men: JP Boulch, France
- Compound women: Sarah Prieels, Belgium
Who’s competing?
As well as all four winners from last year’s competition in Nimes, three of the four reigning Indoor Archery World Series Champions (Felix Wieser, Penny Healey and Nico Girard) will take part. Compound world number ones Ella Gibson and Mike Schloesser are also on the entry list.
In total, more than 1050 archers from 43 countries are registered to compete.
Competition at the Sud de France Archery Tournament starts with the first qualifying sessions on Friday.
