Stage 4 of the Meteksan Archery World Cup, and last qualifying leg, will take place in Boe (FRA) on 23-29 June. The athletes have two big interests: qualify for the Olympic Games and for the World Cup Final in Lausanne (SUI) in September.
Olympic Qualifications
On Thursday 26 June, the last qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games will take place. This tournament is open to all the countries/regions that do not have yet a place at the Games. According to the current situation, this will involve around 75 men from 37 countries/regions and 63 women from 29 countries/regions. Only five spots, each for recurve men and women, are at stake!
2008 World Cup Situation
Previously, the athletes gathered points in Santo Domingo (DOM), Porec (CRO) and Antalya (TUR) and this is their last chance in Boe. Only the top four individual archers per category qualify for the World Cup Final in Lausanne on 27 September. However, only the top three results from the four stages count and only two athletes have secured a place for the Final so far. Almost everything is still possible in Boe and we are looking forward to some very intense matches.
Let’s first recap the World Cup points awarded at each stage:
1st place: 25 points
2nd place: 21 points
3rd place: 18 points
4th place: 15 points
5th place: 13 points
6th place: 12 points
7th place: 11 points
8th place: 10 points
9th place: 8 points, then one point less for each rank until the 16th place
Recurve Men
The cut for 4th place in 2007 was only at 27 points. It will be much higher this time. The four archers currently on top have a good lead over the others. Im Dong Hyun (KOR) –43 points-, Romain Girouille (FRA) -38 points- photo, Rahul Banerjee (IND) -36 points- and Park Kyung-Mo -33 points- should go to Lausanne. However about six archers have still a fair chance if they reach a top 3 rank in Boé: Jayanta Talukdar (IND), Kuo Cheng Wei (TPE), Ilario Di Buo (ITA), Brady Ellison (USA), Viktor Ruban (UKR) and 2007 World Cup Winner Baljinima Tsyrempilov (RUS).
Recurve Women
Two athletes are already qualified for the World Cup Final: Natalia Valeeva (ITA) and Yun Ok Hee (KOR). Last-year cut was at 37 points and although it should get higher, the Olympic Champion Park Sung-Hyun (KOR) is a heavy favourite to qualify. She currently has 36 points. There will be a tough battle for the last spot! Justyna Mopinek (POL) is currently 4th with 29 points. In contention are Natalya Erdyniyeva (RUS), Wu Hui Ju (TPE), Victoria Koval (UKR) and the French favourite Berengere Schuh. Joo Hyun Jung (KOR) has also a mathematical chance, but only two archers from the same category and the same country/region can qualify for the Final in Lausanne.
Compound Men
With two victories (50 points), Sergio Pagni (ITA) is almost certain to qualify for the World Cup Final. Currently on 2nd place, the World Champion Dietmar Trillus (CAN) has 41 points. This is just the cut from last year. Will it be enough? The race will be ferocious as usual in Compound Men. Robert Timms (AUS), Liam Grimwood (GBR), Roberval Dos Santos (BRA), Patrizio Hofer (SUI), Peter Elzinga (NED), Dejan Sitar (SLO), Patrick Coghlan (AUS) and Dominique Genet (FRA) all have a chance!
Compound Women
The cut for 4th place in 2007 was at 52 points. Ivana Buden (CRO) -51 points- and Jamie Van Natta (USA) -49 points- are pretty close to it. With 40 points, Amandine Bouillot (FRA) photo is also in good position. Then four athletes have a decent chance to grab a spot: Camilla Soemod (DEN), Albina Loginova (RUS), World Champion Eugenia Salvi (ITA) and Nichola Simpson (GBR). Two of last year’s finalists, Sofia Goncharova and Anna Kazantseva (RUS) would really need a win in Boe, and some luck, to qualify for the World Cup Final in Lausanne!
Program in Boe
The program in Boe is quite special. It will be the first time the finals are played at night!
23 June: Official Practice
24 June: Qualifications
25 June: Individual matches until semi-finals for the World Cup
26 June: Final Qualifications Tournaments for the Olympic Games
27 June: Team matches until semi-finals
28 June (afternoon): Team finals
28 June (night): Individual finals
Please refer to the schedule page for a detailed program.
With 75 countries/regions and 377 archers, Boe is breaking the participation record for a World Cup! The week will be exciting!
(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)
