Emanuela Druda secured a second-place finish at the national historic archery championship in Corciano, overcoming the setback of a broken bow just one week prior. Competing in the medieval fort village in the province of Perugia, the archer from Pesaro represented the Aquile ducali association of Urbino in a discipline defined by instinctive shooting and period dress.
National Championship Podiums at Corciano
The national final brought historic archery competitors from across the country to the Umbrian walled village. Druda earned her runner-up spot despite suffering equipment failure seven days earlier during a competition in Gubbio. “The week before, in Gubbio, my bow broke,” Druda said of the incident, noting she initially believed her chances at both the championship and the final were finished.
Teammate Claudio Fraternale joined her near the top of the standings by finishing fourth overall, missing the top step of the podium by just 10 points. Fraternale first discovered the sport during a historical reenactment in Urbino in 2010 and now serves as president of the Aquile ducale association.
Instinctive Shooting in Medieval Streets
Historic archery differs from modern target sports through its lack of sights or precision aids. Competitors traverse historic town centers during the spring and summer months dressed strictly in historical garb, following courses in groups known as patrols.
During the Corciano tournament, participants moved in squads of 11 archers per station, encountering a different target at each stop. “At the Corciano competition there were 11 people per station and for each station there was a different target,” Druda explained. “We toured the village far and wide going from one target to another.”
Archers receive no advance information regarding the targets or distances at each station along the route. Obstacles include both stationary objects and moving animal silhouettes, with shooting ranges varying unpredictably between eight and 35 meters.
Expanding the Historic Archery Community
Both Druda and Fraternale entered the sport later in life through personal connections. Druda discovered the discipline alongside her husband via an acquaintance, noting that starting later in life remains her only regret about an otherwise consuming passion.
Fraternale aims to increase public awareness and participation in historic archery across the region, building on the visibility generated by the Aquile ducali competitors at national events.
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