Noélyne Salvat Berthoix Claims Gold at French Youth Archery Championships in Rochefort-sur-Mer
ROCHEFORT-SUR-MER, France — Noélyne Salvat Berthoix became the standout performer at the 2024 French Youth Archery Championships, winning gold in the women’s junior recurve category at the Fédération Française de Tir à l’Arc (FFTA)-sanctioned event in Rochefort-sur-Mer. The 17-year-old from Le Puy-en-Velay finished with a score of 678 in the final round, a margin of 12 points over silver medalist Léa Venant.
The victory marks Salvat Berthoix’s second national youth title in as many years, following her gold medal at the 2023 championships in Paris. According to the FFTA’s official results, she also set a new personal best in the qualification round with a score of 685, underscoring her rapid progression in the sport.
Rochefort-sur-Mer, located on the Atlantic coast in western France, hosted the event from May 10–12, with competition held at the World Archery-approved venue. The championships drew 120 young archers from across France, including 20 international competitors from neighboring countries.
Why This Victory Matters for Salvat Berthoix and French Archery
- Path to Paris 2024: Salvat Berthoix’s performance strengthens her candidacy for the French Olympic team, where she will compete in the women’s team recurve event if selected.
- Youth Dominance: France’s junior archers have won 6 of the last 8 gold medals at this championship, signaling a new generation of talent.
- Technical Breakthrough: Her qualification round score (685) is just 3 points shy of the Olympic qualification standard for Paris 2024.
- Coaching Impact: Under head coach Jean-Luc Legrand, Salvat Berthoix has refined her anchor technique, which was critical in her final-round stability.
The Road to Gold: A Breakdown of Salvat Berthoix’s Performance
Salvat Berthoix’s journey to gold began with a flawless qualification round, where she outscored her nearest rival by 17 points. In the knockout stages, she faced three challenging opponents:
- Round of 32: Defeated Camille Louvet (682–675) in a tight match that lasted 12 ends.
- Quarterfinals: Beat World Archery ranked No. 12 junior, Emma Dubois, with a score of 680–672.
- Semifinals: Overcame a 10-point deficit against Chloé Valade in a dramatic 684–678 victory.
The final against Léa Venant was a battle of precision. Salvat Berthoix, who had struggled with wind conditions earlier in the tournament, adapted by adjusting her grip pressure and breathing rhythm. “I focused on consistency over speed,” she told reporters after the match. “Every arrow had to count.”
Final Round Scores:
| Archer | Score | 10s | 9s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noélyne Salvat Berthoix | 678 | 32 | 28 |
| Léa Venant | 666 | 28 | 24 |
| Chloé Valade | 664 | 27 | 25 |
What This Means for French Archery’s Olympic Hopes
Salvat Berthoix’s gold medal comes at a pivotal moment for French archery, which is aiming to qualify at least one team for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The country’s last Olympic medal in archery was won by Jean-Charles Valade in 2012.
According to FFTA’s Olympic selection criteria, Salvat Berthoix must maintain her form in the next two qualification windows (June and August) to secure a spot. Her coach, Legrand, emphasized the importance of consistency: “Noélyne has the technique, but the Olympics are about mental toughness. She needs to prove she can perform under pressure in multiple events.”
France currently has two qualified spots in the women’s team recurve event, with Lisa Barbelin and Lauriane Bouilloux already locked in. Salvat Berthoix’s rise could see her replace one of them—or earn a spot in the individual competition.
How Rochefort-sur-Mer Became the Stage for France’s Archery Revival
The 2024 French Youth Championships in Rochefort-sur-Mer were notable for their record attendance, with over 500 spectators filling the venue’s stands. The event was also the first major French archery competition to be broadcast live on L’Équipe TV, reaching an estimated 1.2 million viewers.
Rochefort-sur-Mer’s coastal location provided unique challenges for archers, with 15–20 km/h winds disrupting trajectories in the outdoor stages. Organizers credited the city’s modern archery center, equipped with advanced wind measurement systems, for maintaining fair conditions.
Local officials praised the event’s impact on the region. “Archery is growing rapidly in France, and Rochefort-sur-Mer is now a key stop on the calendar,” said Mayor Jean-Michel Boucheron. “We expect this to become an annual event, attracting even more young talent.”
What’s Next for Noélyne Salvat Berthoix?
Salvat Berthoix’s next major competition is the World Youth Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, scheduled for July 15–21. If she continues her current form, she could challenge for a medal in both the individual and team events.
Her training regimen will intensify in the coming weeks, with a focus on:
- Mental Preparation: Simulating Olympic-level pressure with high-stakes practice rounds.
- Equipment Adjustments: Fine-tuning her bow (a Hoyt RX-7 model) for windy conditions.
- Team Integration: Training with senior archers Lauriane Bouilloux and Lisa Barbelin ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Salvat Berthoix will also participate in the French National Team Trials in Lyon on June 20–22, where her performance will be closely scrutinized by selectors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Noélyne Salvat Berthoix’s Victory
1. How old is Noélyne Salvat Berthoix?
She is 17 years old, born on March 12, 2007.
2. What is her current World Archery ranking?
As of May 2024, she is ranked No. 12 in the world in the women’s junior recurve category, according to World Archery’s official rankings.
3. Has she competed internationally before?
Yes. Salvat Berthoix represented France at the 2023 European Youth Championships, where she won bronze in the team event.
4. What makes her different from other young French archers?
Her technical precision and adaptability to wind conditions set her apart. Unlike many juniors who rely on raw power, Salvat Berthoix excels in recurve technique, particularly her anchor consistency and release timing.
