Archery Season Resumes in Volgelsheim as Merenne and Wenzler Lead the Pack
The 2024 outdoor archery season kicked off in earnest this weekend in the Alsace region of northeastern France, with competitors gathering at the Volgelsheim shooting grounds for the first major tournament of the year. Under crisp autumn skies and light winds that tested even the most seasoned archers, French national team members Lisa Merenne and Thomas Wenzler emerged as the standout performers, posting the highest scores in their respective categories.
The event, organized by the Fédération Française de Tir à l’Arc (FFTA), marked the official start of the senior outdoor circuit after a winter focused on indoor training and preparation. Over 120 archers from clubs across Grand Est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and neighboring Germany and Switzerland participated in the two-day competition, which featured recurve and compound divisions shot at standard 70-meter and 50-meter distances.
Merenne, a 28-year-old from Strasbourg who represented France at the 2023 World Archery Championships in Berlin, led the women’s recurve field with a commanding total of 642 points out of a possible 720. Her nearest challenger, Élise Michel of Metz, finished 18 points back at 624. “The conditions were tricky — shifting winds off the Rhine plain made consistency a real challenge,” Merenne said after her round. “But I trusted my process, focused on each arrow, and the results followed.”
On the men’s side, Wenzler, a 31-year-old compound specialist from Colmar, dominated with a score of 698, just two points shy of a perfect round. His closest rival, Julien Bauer of Strasbourg, scored 676. Wenzler’s performance included an impressive streak of 12 consecutive tens in the second half of his match, a display of precision that drew murmurs of admiration from fellow competitors. “When everything clicks — your anchor, your release, your follow-through — it feels effortless,” he explained. “But getting to that point takes thousands of repetitions. This was a good reminder of why we put in the work.”
The Volgelsheim venue, located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Colmar near the German border, has become a regular stop on the FFTA calendar due to its well-maintained ranges and sheltered shooting lines. The grounds, situated along the Rue du Stade, feature covered waiting areas and electronic scoring targets that meet World Archery standards. Local officials noted that the event brought an estimated 300 visitors to the town over the weekend, providing a modest boost to nearby hotels and restaurants.
For the FFTA, the season opener serves as both a competitive benchmark and a talent identification opportunity. National coaches were present throughout the weekend, observing athletes for potential selection to upcoming international events, including the 2025 World Cup circuit and the European Games in Kraków-Małopolska later this year. “We’re looking for consistency, mental toughness, and the ability to perform under varying conditions,” said FFTA high-performance director Julien Girard, who oversaw the event. “Volgelsheim gave us a clear first look at where our athletes stand after the winter block.”
Archery in France has seen steady growth over the past decade, with licensed membership increasing from approximately 45,000 in 2015 to over 68,000 in 2023, according to FFTA annual reports. The sport’s accessibility — low equipment barrier to entry, adaptability for different ages and abilities, and strong club infrastructure — has contributed to its appeal, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas like Alsace.
Looking ahead, the next event on the FFTA outdoor calendar is scheduled for March 16–17 in Montauban, in the Occitanie region, where archers will compete in a similar format. That tournament will serve as a key qualifier for the French team aiming to compete in the 2025 World Archery Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. Both Merenne and Wenzler have expressed their intention to compete in Montauban, using the Volgelsheim result as a foundation for further refinement.
As the outdoor season progresses, athletes will face evolving challenges — from variable spring weather to the psychological pressure of qualification rounds. But for now, the return to competition in Volgelsheim has rekindled the familiar rhythm of the archery year: the sound of arrows finding their mark, the quiet focus of the shooting line, and the pursuit of that elusive perfect shot.
The archery community in Alsace and beyond will be watching closely as Merenne, Wenzler, and their peers continue their campaigns. For fans of the sport, the message is clear: the season is underway, and the pursuit of precision has begun anew.
Stay tuned to Archysport for ongoing coverage of the French archery season, including results, athlete profiles, and insights into the technical and mental demands of one of the world’s oldest competitive sports.
Next checkpoint: FFTA Outdoor Tournament, Montauban, March 16–17, 2024.
What did you think of the season’s opening performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #ArcherySeason2024.
