About sixty archers of all ages from across the province gathered in Trois-Rivières for a provincial archery competition where participants sought qualification for the Quebec team. The event, hosted by the Club de tir à l’arc de Trois-Rivières, drew competitors looking to advance their competitive careers.
Trois-Rivières hosts provincial archers seeking Quebec team spots
The weekend tournament served as a qualification gateway for athletes aiming to represent Quebec. Among the competitors on the shooting line was Marie-Ève Gélinas of Trois-Rivières. Already a member of the provincial squad, Gélinas competed with her sights set on earning a spot at the upcoming Youth World Championships scheduled to take place in Argentina from October 2 to 8.
“We try to put less pressure on ourselves and let things go as they go,” Gélinas said.
Olympic experience joins the provincial shooting line
The provincial gathering also featured Georcy-Stéphanie Thiffeault Picard, who participated in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, at the Trois-Rivières event.
Thiffeault Picard described the provincial tournament atmosphere, pointing to the nature of the sport’s community.
“It’s really relaxing. The archery community is truly like a big family. It’s always fun to get together and compete. It’s really not aggressive, it’s a very, very zen environment,” Thiffeault Picard said.
Advice from Rio 2016 for the next generation of Quebec archers
Reflecting on her journey, the 26-year-old athlete from Montreal offered a perspective for younger competitors.
“You have to lose often to learn how to win,” Thiffeault Picard said. “You mustn’t let yourself get discouraged by one time things don’t go well. You really have to continue, work hard, and one day, you’ll get there if you stay the course.”
Keep reading
