The team medal round of the 2010 Archery World Cup Second Stage was conducted Thursday, where Team USA brought home a total of five out of six possible medals. The overall archery conditions in Antalya, Turkey, according to reports from FITA's website, were less than ideal as wind effected tournament action from the beach location. The medal collection for Team USA was:
Archers compete at four qualifying World Cup stages earning valuable points based on final placement in hopes of earning one of the 32 athlete positions that will compete in the World Cup Finals in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 18-19. Ogden, Utah will host the pivotal third leg of the event, Aug. 3-7. The fourth and final qualifying stage will be held in Shanghai, China.
The U.S. men's compound team, comprised of Barden Gellenthien, Roger Willet, Jr., and Ben Cleland, started the day with a quick lead over South Africa after the first end, 2-1. The U.S. trio increased it to 3-1 after a tie in the second set. The third end went to South Africa after shooting a perfect round of three hits to the United States' one hit, which tied the match at 3-3. The match score remained tied after the fourth end as both teams matched each other arrow-for-arrow. South Africa found the target on all three arrows in the fifth set for a 6-4 advantage. In the final set, South Africa and the United States were tied again, however the one point given for ties awarded the gold to South Africa, 7-5.
The U.S. men's recurve team fell short in their quest for gold against India on Thursday. The American squad was led by five-time Olympian Butch Johnson, three-time Olympian Vic Wunderle and 2008 Olympian Brady Ellison. This was the sixth time that these two countries have faced each other, and the result remained the same as India won 218-214. Team USA trailed 54-50 after the first end, and the squad was unable to close the game in their quest of upsetting India.
The mixed recurve team final featured U.S. Olympians Ellison and Jennifer Nichols. At the first World Cup in Croatia earlier this year, this tandem won the first-ever gold by defeating China. Today was a rematch of the first-ever Mixed Recurve Team competition. After the first end, Ellison and Nichols held a one-point advantage, 37-36. After the second end, China rebounded and never relinquished the lead, 74-71. After the last two ends, China won gold with a 148-142 score.
The U.S. women's recurve team was masterful against Georgia in the bronze-medal match. The U.S. squad featured a pair of U.S. Olympians, Nichols and Khatuna Lorig, and USA Archery resident athlete Heather Koehl. The United States opened up with a 49-45 advantage after the first end, and increased their lead in the second to 102-94. The third end witnessed Georgia, the country of origin for Lorig, evening the match at 147 a piece by overcoming a 7-point deficit. The find set went to the United States who shot a 54-point round to win 202-198.
In another close match, the U.S. women's compound team fell to Mexico, 7-5, and had to settle for a fourth-place finish. Both teams were tied after the first end as each team found the hit target only once. Mexico took the lead in the second set and Team USA was unable to recover after the third set.
The compound mixed team bronze-medal match was held on Wednesday, where Team USA won by defeating Italy, 6-2.
Friday's action will feature the individual semifinals and medal matches in men's and women's divisions in both compound and recurve, which will close the second of four qualifying World Cup stages.
The Archery World Cup, which started in 2006, has been a popular event for FITA, the international federation for archery. The event allows organizers to select unique competition venues. In Antalya, the athletes shot the final on the beautiful beaches that lead to the Mediterranean Sea. The Archery World Cup has grown into one of the annual premiere events for the international federation that attracts approximately 300 athletes from 30 countries at each of the various qualifying stages.
For complete results, click here.
< Back to All News
