Indoor World Series / The health crisis deprives Nîmes of Americans and Asians.
The message dates from January 20 and was posted on the Facebook page of American Braden Gellenthien. The man with 29 world cup victories and world number 1 in compound archery writes: “It is with a heavy heart that I find myself today having to withdraw from the popular and prestigious South of France – Nîmes Archery Tournament. During the last decade, the tournament directors, volunteers and French athletes have told me made Nîmes feel like my second home […] Sadly, this year the Covid and the travel restrictions that followed completely changed the landscape of life, not to mention professional archery… “
These Europeans came as neighbors
If these few words do not replace the presence of the US star on the shooting ranges of the exhibition center, the praise went straight to the hearts of the Nîmes organizers. “It is for this kind of thing that the Arc-club remains motivated”, reacted Olivier Grillat, sports director of AC Nîmes.
In the indoor world, Nîmes has become essential, an international reference forever. Without Americans or South Koreans, the party is less crazy and the level less crazy. Yes, this 23rd edition will remain special. The pandemic has passed that way but Nîmes has not passed its turn (see box).
In these times of border closures, one could hardly have imagined a great Franco-French explanation. However, in Nîmes, thirteen European countries are represented by around forty archers… not in quarantine.
“I’ve been coming to Nîmes for almost ten years, says Slovenian Gaspar Strajhar (23), two-time finalist (recurve) in the Gard in junior, in 2015 and 2016. I love coming here. Even if, this year, without an audience, it feels weird. “ When we love, we don’t count. And it was not the eleven hour drive from Slovenia that could have made the delegation back down.
To have a chance to take part in the event, it was indeed better to be European. The Dutchman Mike Schloesser could not miss it, back to the land of his exploits and his world record (compound bow) indoors in 2015 (600 points). “In just over 1000 km, it was done. We arrived yesterday (Thursday). And then Nîmes, it’s always special for me “, he stressed, accompanied by his wife, the Dutch-Mexican archer Gabriela Schloesser.
90% less engaged … and respected distancing
While some have chosen the car, the German Florian Unruh has opted for the plane and then the train. No real choice … “There was no direct flight from Berlin so we went through Paris and then took the train”, he explains.
With only 10% of the usual total of participants, no problem regarding physical distancing, the two meters will be respected. There is no lack of space …
Leader, a Pierre Plihon in Olympic form, three Nîmes in the top 5
Started at 1:30 p.m., on 32 targets (and not 45) installed at the Parc des Expositions alone, the qualifications for this round of the indoor World Cup (18 meters away) in Nîmes allowed the locals to stand out. Pierre Plihon, in recurve arch, thus slammed the best score of the day with 590 points, proving in passing his great form. Jean-Charles Valladont (4th, 585 points) and Jocelyn De Grandis (5th, 584) are in ambush, awaiting the rest of the qualifications, this Saturday morning. Quentin Soule is 11th (574 points) while Ferdinand Delille is in 12th place with 568 points. Among women, while 11 archers are classified, Amélie Communaudat is currently 4th with 559 points.
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