Every year, close to San Sebastian, the club organizes its flagship event: the Tir du Roy. Unlike other disciplines, victory does not depend solely on consistency.
Pascale Hanon says: “The winner is the one who places his arrow most in the center of the marmot, a small area reproducing the center of the target. The suspense remains until the end, because the archers shoot their 30 arrows without discovering their results, the referee being the only one to note the scores at the end of the session.”
The club makes it a point of honor that everyone has a chance. The distances are adapted: if the experts aim at 25 meters, the beginners shoot at 18 meters to win the titles of Prince or Vice-Prince. The youngest, from 7 years old, practice at 5 or 10 meters. All types of bows are welcome, from recurve (Olympic bow) to compound (compound bow), including the traditional longbow (the simplest bow) or the barebow (recurve bow which is characterized by its absence of aiming aid accessories).
“Even a less skilled archer can become Roy if he manages to shoot a perfect arrow in the center,” said the president, emphasizing the fairness of this system.
Precious silver necklace
Among the competitors, young Sasha Goffaux, 8 years old, embodies the next generation. Having come to archery to follow her parents and stave off boredom, she found it a demanding discipline. She confides: “It strengthens the arms and you need a lot of concentration. For me, as for all archers, this sport brings a deep sense of calm. You have to be able to form a perfect “T” with your body to hit the target.”
Beyond the effort, it is the prestige that awaits the winner. The King or Queen receives the famous historic silver necklace decorated with a bird, a rare piece kept carefully in a safe the rest of the year. A tradition which proves that, despite the centuries, the Archers du Berceau have lost none of their splendor and their conviviality, often punctuated by a coffee break, a glass of beer, or pie between two volleys.
At the end of the 30 shots, the names of the winners were revealed: Étienne Lambillotte is the new King, the Vice-Queen is Émilie Gilmont, Pauline Beckers becomes Princess and Cédric Carnier, Vice-Prince.
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