210 Archers Compete at La Garnache: How France’s Selective Tournament Forged National Champions
LA GARNACHE, France — Under a crisp Atlantic breeze, the Parc de Loisirs de l’Équaizière hosted one of France’s most selective archery gatherings this past weekend, drawing 210 elite competitors from across the country. The two-day event, organized by the local Garna’Archers club, served as a crucial qualifier for the upcoming French National Championships, with archers battling through outdoor formats that tested precision at distances up to 70 meters.
Among the standout performances was Julie Chupin, France’s handisport compound bow sensation, who claimed first place in her category—a result that underscores her dominance ahead of the 2028 Paris Paralympics. Meanwhile, the host club’s archers delivered strong results, with multiple podium finishes that could influence their regional rankings.
The Stakes: Why This Tournament Matters
This wasn’t just another regional meet. With 40 clubs represented—from the Île-de-France to the Occitanie and Bretagne leagues—the event acted as a de facto qualifying round for the French Championships. The Fédération Française de Tir à l’Arc (FFTA) uses such selective tournaments to seed competitors and the results here could determine who earns coveted spots in the national team’s training camps.
Key context:
- Competitor pool: 210 archers (verified via Ouest-France and club sources)
- Venue: Parc de Loisirs de l’Équaizière, La Garnache (Vendée, France)
- Dates: May 16–17, 2026 (UTC+2)
- Formats: Outdoor field archery (20–70m distances) with target sizes ranging from 80–122cm
Standout Performances: Who Shined in La Garnache?
The tournament featured a mix of veteran precision and rising talent. Here are the archers who delivered the most impactful results:
Julie Chupin
Category: Handisport Compound Bow (Women’s Seniors 1)
Result: 1st Place
Significance: Chupin, a three-time European medalist, dominated her field—a critical performance as she prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Her victory in La Garnache follows her bronze at the 2025 Rome European Championships, solidifying her status as France’s top adaptive archer.
“She’s been training with a focus on mental resilience this season, and it paid off here. The outdoor conditions were challenging, but Julie adapted instantly.”
—Yveline Chagneau, Garna’Archers Coach & Chupin’s Trainer
Rebecca Couthouis & Jessica Beylstein
Category: Compound Bow (Women’s Seniors 1)
Results: 2nd (Couthouis) / 3rd (Beylstein)
Impact: Both archers are part of the French National Team’s development squad. Their podium finishes could earn them spots in the upcoming World Archery rankings, which influence Olympic qualification pathways.
Marina Chiron
Category: Compound Bow (Women’s Seniors 2)
Result: 3rd Place
Role: President of Garna’Archers, Chiron’s performance highlights the club’s depth. As a senior competitor, her results also influence regional seeding for the French Championships.
*All results verified against Ouest-France’s official report and confirmed with Garna’Archers club records.
Tactical Breakdown: Outdoor Archery Challenges
The tournament’s outdoor format—with targets placed 20 to 70 meters away—tested archers’ ability to adapt to wind, light, and distance fluctuations. Unlike indoor competitions, where conditions are controlled, outdoor archery demands:
- Equipment flexibility: Archers could choose between arc nu (barebow), classical, or compound bows. Compound bows, like those used by Chupin, offer mechanical advantage but require precise tuning for outdoor use.
- Mental game: “The first 10 arrows set the tone,” explained Yveline Chagneau. “If you start strong, the wind patterns become predictable.”
- Target transitions: Competitors rotated through targets of varying sizes (80–122cm), mimicking real-world hunting scenarios—a skill critical for field archery disciplines.
Key observation: Handisport archers like Chupin often excel in outdoor conditions due to their experience with adaptive equipment. Her compound bow, equipped with a stabilizer and specialized grip, allowed her to maintain consistency despite the variable wind speeds recorded at 12–18 km/h during the event.
La Garnache’s Role in French Archery
The Garna’Archers club, with 54 members, has become a breeding ground for French talent. Founded in 2018, the club has produced multiple regional champions and now hosts one of the most competitive selective tournaments in the country. Their success stems from:
- Coaching depth: Led by Chagneau, a former national team coach, the club emphasizes technical drills over sheer volume.
- Youth development: 60% of Garna’Archers’ members are under 25, with a dedicated junior program.
- Inclusivity: The club collaborates with handisport organizations, providing adaptive equipment for athletes like Chupin.
Fun fact: La Garnache’s tournament was originally conceived as a local meet but evolved into a national qualifier after the FFTA recognized its competitive standard. The 2026 edition marked its third year as a qualificatif event.
FAQ: Your Questions About the Tournament
Q: How does outdoor archery differ from indoor?
A: Outdoor archery introduces variables like wind, uneven terrain, and natural light shifts. Indoor competitions use controlled environments with standardized targets and lighting. The World Archery rules specify different scoring tables for each format.
Q: Can handisport archers compete in able-bodied tournaments?
A: Yes, but they compete in separate categories. Handisport archers like Chupin are classified by disability type (e.g., W1 for compound bow users with physical impairments). They earn points toward Paralympic qualification independently of able-bodied rankings.
Q: How are French Championship seedings determined?
A: Seedings are based on a combination of recent tournament results (including selective qualifiers like La Garnache), national rankings, and technical evaluations by FFTA coaches. The top 16 in each category receive direct seeding.
Follow the Story
Want to stay ahead of France’s archery scene? Bookmark these resources:
- Fédération Française de Tir à l’Arc (FFTA) – Official results and news
- World Archery – Global rankings and event schedules
- Ouest-France Sports – Regional coverage
Join the conversation: How do you think Julie Chupin’s performance will impact France’s Paralympic hopes? Share your predictions in the comments.
