The French archery club Saint-Avertin is targeting a historic double in the Division 1 (D1) team championships this season, seeking to defend its title in both recurve and compound disciplines. Based in Indre-et-Loire, the club will launch its 2026 D1 campaign on April 18 in Smarves, Vienne, with ambitions to repeat its success from the previous year in both the recurve and compound team events.
According to La Nouvelle République, Saint-Avertin’s women’s team won the French D1 recurve team championship in 2025 and now aims to achieve a rare double by also winning the compound team title in 2026. The club’s archers will begin their season at the first round of the D1 team competition in Smarves, where qualification rounds will take place on Saturday, April 18, followed by team matches on Sunday, April 19.
The French D1 archery championship, organized by the French Archery Federation (FFTA), represents the highest level of team competition in the sport nationally. As outlined by FFTA regulations, the D1 competition consists of three rounds held during the outdoor season, with teams accumulating points based on their placements to determine the final standings. Each team consists of four archers: three primary shooters and one substitute who can rotate in at the start of each end.
Saint-Avertin’s pursuit of a double title would mark a significant achievement in French archery, as winning both the recurve and compound team championships in the same season requires mastery across two distinct disciplines. The recurve discipline follows Olympic-style rules with targets at 70 meters, while compound archery utilizes mechanical aids for greater precision at the same distance.
The club’s preparation and ambitions were highlighted in local media coverage, which noted that Saint-Avertin’s archers are entering the competition with confidence after their 2025 recurve team success. Their campaign begins in earnest this weekend as they seek to establish early momentum in the three-stage D1 season that runs through the summer months.
For fans following the team’s progress, the French Archery Federation provides official updates on competition schedules, results, and standings throughout the D1 season. Saint-Avertin’s matches will be closely watched as they attempt to join the select group of clubs that have achieved dual-discipline success in French team archery.
What’s next: Saint-Avertin’s D1 team campaign continues with subsequent rounds scheduled for later in the 2026 outdoor season, with the final standings determined after the third round typically held in September. Fans can follow the team’s journey through official French Archery Federation channels for live results and updates.
Share your thoughts on Saint-Avertin’s bid for a historic double in French archery’s premier team competition.
