Photos – go to the album on our facebook page Day 7 – Field (second day) We have run out of superlatives for the weather…. just more of the same in very comfortable conditions. And the archers … Photos – go to the album on our facebook page Day 7 – Field (second day) We have run out of superlatives for the weather…. just more of the same in very comfortable conditions. And the archers responded in kind today, generally improving on their scores from yesterday. Archers completed the day in good time with provisional results posted before 1.45 pm. Congratulations to medal winners Ben and David (Cadet Men Compound). The medals are being presented tonight at the dinner at the Armidale Jockey Club where, no doubt, some hairletting down will occur (for those that have hair). For the Team Managers, parents and supporters, the night will provide a sense of relief and a chance to reflect on a job well done in getting the SA contingent through the week relatively unscathed. The archers have gained also with the event being a memorable experience and something that is “outside of the square”. The atmosphere of friendliness between all competitors has been commendable and a joy and is something some adults could learn from to improve their approach to the game! Photos from tonight’s event are now on the ARCHERY SA facebook page. Full results of the Championships can be found on the Archery Australia website. To those travelling back to SA – safe journeys! Day 6 – Field (first day) Today has been, if you can believe that the weather could actually get better, the pick of the days this week. Last night an impressive thunderstorm (11,000 lightning strikes in the region, according to tonight’s news) dropped 11 mm of rain on the field course to freshen everything up and by the “start of play” today, the skies were clear with fluffy white clouds scudding across the sky. Some might say the contrast was quintessentially paradoxical. The SA archers enjoyed the field today although there was one withdrawal during the event due to the flare-up of an old injury. Progress scores are on the Archery Australia website and the Field Championships and the final day of competition, continues tomorrow at 8.00 am (looks like it will be a repeat performance tonight with clouds building!) Day 5 – Clout The SA archers stepped up to the plate today to enjoy the Clout Championships in, generally, good conditions. A following gentle breeze cropped up from time to time to keep the arrows honest, but really, a better day could not have been produced in terms of the weather. Several SA archers came away with medals from the single clout (36 arrows) event. Archers welcomed the early finish to the day, although some accepted the invitation from the organisers to practice field at tomorrow’s venue (not on the actual field course) from 3.00-5.00 pm. Tomorrow’s day 1 of field starts with practice at 8.00 am. Day 4 – Matchplay The individual matchplay events were held today in “interesting” conditions. The flukey breeze kept everyone honest. Jess Clayifeld was (subject to confirmation) the last SA archer standing in the eliminations process. Again the day’s weather was picture perfect. The results are available on the Archery Australia website. Tomorrow is the (single) clout event starting at 8.00 am. Day 3 – Target (final day) A repeat of the previous day in terms of weather conditions, although the fog was more a light mist early. If this event was in Adelaide, what would be described as a gentle sea breeze sprang up after lunch, but didn’t cause any difficulties. SA’s sole medallist Ben Malin (Bronze medallist, Cadet Male Compound) put in an excellent performance on each day with 1294 & 1291. The rest of the SA contingent also did well with several PB’s, but just fell short of the medals. The day was topped off with a very pleasant dinner at one of the local community clubs with the SA contingent, supporters, event Judges and Archery Australia’s CEO. The archers made presentations to the team management for their great efforts in supporting and guiding the team and squad. Tomorrow is the combined matchplay event… should be interesting. Day 2 – Target After a foggy start (which lifted and burnt off before the commencement of shooting), glorious conditions prevailed. Results are available on the Archery Australia website and in “News”. (For photos go to the Archery Australia website and the ARCHERY SA facebook page.) Day 1 – Practice South Australian contingent is set to go with the start of the target event tomorrow at UNE, Armidale in picture perfect conditions. The forecast continues to be mild with a light breeze. And Wally the Wombat figures that with a good night’s sleep the SA archers will be raring to go!
