Archers gathered over the weekend for an indoor competition serving as a qualifier for the French championships, according to local reporting from Ouest-France and La Roche sur Yon Maville.
Indoor Archery Competition Draws 126 Competitors to Le Poiré-sur-Vie
Finding the venue for the Beignon Basset archery tournament proved simple for arriving competitors and spectators: yellow arrows marked the route to the hall. Hubert Gautier, president of the archery section of the Amicale du Beignon Basset (AMBB), organized the two-day event alongside 35 partners. Gautier noted that the competition holds official qualifying status for the national French championships.
Inside the competition hall, intense concentration created a heavy atmosphere of silence. Quiet prevailed among both the shooting athletes and accompanying spectators, even in the intervals between volleys of arrows. Competitors walked up to score their targets at an 18-meter distance following the referee’s signal, managing their scoring procedures independently. When disputes arose regarding arrow placement or scoring values, participants raised their hands for an official ruling by the referee.
Family Tradition and Multi-Generation Participation Highlight the Event
While archery functions primarily as an individual discipline, participants highlighted its collective social dynamic. The mother of nine-year-old competitor Lizéa noted that the sport combines individual focus with team elements. Competing in her second year of the sport, the young athlete stated that she enjoys the tournament atmosphere. With a club president mother and an older brother with previous competitive experience, family involvement supported her entry into competitive archery.
Participants spanned a broad generational divide, with the tournament welcoming athletes ranging from young juniors to competitors over the age of 75. Gautier pointed out that veteran archers continue to maintain their competitive drive well into their later years. Across a maximum possible score of 600 points under standard indoor regulations, top competitors at the venue approached scores around 540.
Upcoming Regional Circuit Schedule
Following the conclusion of the weekend event in Le Poiré-sur-Vie, the regional archery calendar shifts to its next scheduled stop. Competitors will travel to Fontenay-le-Comte for the following round of competition on Sunday.
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