Although I competed in the Master’s, my score topped both the overall Mens’ and Womens’ Recurve classes.
Eskilstuna SWEDEN 26.10.24
Masters Women Recurve Indoor
–> 548 points (270 & 278)
https://resultat.bagskytte.se/Event/Result/2024210
First Half…
I did not enjoy the 2.5 hour drive to get to the arena but my warm ups were good so I felt ready to go. Some arrows were a little low so I adjusted my site. You can see on the target face those low ones.
First scoring ends were very good groupings but then about round 4, something weird happened –> a 7 out at 3 o’clock and an 8 jumping to 1 o’clock. Next round were 9s grouped at 4 o’clock. I did not understand at all. I went over all my sequence and checked my bow for anything getting loose. My nocks and fletchings were OK.
On the tenth round, I figured it out. I had bought some new compression sleeves that were a tiny bit too large on the top elastic. On that fourth round, my string must have hit my bow arm and rolled down the inner sleeve (which I did not feel). Since my team shirt is very large (borrowed as my own is not yet ready), the shirt itself covered the rolled sleeve so I really did not see it. When it was noticed after shooting another 8, I pulled it back up on my bicep, then shot a 9 and 10 to close out the first half. I guess I need bigger muscles!
Although, most arrows were hitting yellow, those 8’s were causing me to loose some valuable points. With 270 points, I was leading in the Master’s category, but I could see the results from the Elite Women’s and Men’s categories, so I knew I was behind.
During the break, I removed the sleeve so I would not have to deal with it again. I made sure I was warmed up well before starting round 11.
Second Half…
It began well. All ends had very good groups. The lines were not my friend. At least 6 arrows were within a millimetre of the line so I know how close I was to getting many more points.
As my points increased, I was slowly catching up to the others. By round 15, I was leading the Women. Round 17, I jumped to the top and kept it until the end. With a 278, it beats what I did at the previous competition early in this month, but my finishing score of 548 was 2 points lower.
Final View…
It was really cool to fight for victory but to know that I can shoot even higher scores.
10s –> 20 / 9s –> 29 / 8s –> 10 / 7s–> 1
I do not believe that my technique was a concern during the whole competition. Everything that I have been training was working –> string fingers, grip and follow through.
Heart rate was a little high due to a temporary adrenaline surge when starting but the final half was simply fighting fatigue. I basically did not sleep the night before. Also, we couldn’t have food in the shooting hall, so I didn’t snack between rounds like I normally do.
Seeing some familiar faces was wonderful. Sweden is a large country so it is very nice to be meeting archers at events and then seeing them again as I travel further North. As my coaching expands, I am meeting more and more archers. Next year, I hope to get to compete in all 11 regions including the far North!
As of today, I am not sure what will be my next competition. I am ranked top in Master’s and currently hold second spot scratch.
Training will continue to focus on strength conditioning and frequency until the end of year.
Notes –> My ESM was 83 and 87. These are the totals of my 3rd column. If you want to really see how you are doing in competition, then find your 10 worst shots each half. Those numbers will be a better indication of improvement than overall score or number of tens because it measures errors or lack there of.
Kelea Quinn 