ANTALYA, Turkey – A number of tests in the real sense await the 16 U.S. archers competing in Turkey this week at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 3, with several rule changes introduced.
The most significant change will be to the scoring system, with the X-ring worth 11 points rather than 10. Meanwhile, qualification will involve 60 arrows as opposed to 72, and competition will start a day earlier than is the norm.
World Archery, the sport’s governing body, has long-since considered a method to better separate the competition, particularly in the compound division, where scores within the match play format have got closer and closer.
As for the reduction in the number of arrows during qualifying - a topic which was discussed among committees back in February - it is felt 60 arrows is enough to suitably spread the field. This will also save time on the schedule.
Competition begins with compound qualification on Wednesday afternoon and wraps up with recurve medal matches on Sunday afternoon.
The USA team in Turkey includes Carson Krahe (compound women), a silver medalist in China last month at World Cup Stage 2, who now sits at her highest-ever world ranking of 21 after medaling in Shanghai. The recurve men’s team of Brady Ellison, Christian Stoddard and Jack Williams won bronze.
Among the current team, returning Antalya stage medalists include Ellison, Casey Kaufhold, James Lutz and Sawyer Sullivan. Ellison and Kaufhold combined for recurve mixed team gold there in 2023, with Sullivan taking individual silver in compound men and team silver alongside Lutz (and Braden Gellenthien).
Ellison claimed individual gold in 2011 (pictured) and 2019, silver in 2008, bronze in 2010 and 2022, and mixed team bronze (with Gabrielle Sasai) in Turkey in 2022.
There is live coverage from Antalya on Saturday and Sunday with a subscription to archery+.
