Cuneo’s Arcieri dell’Elice Dominate Italian Archery Circuit with Double-City Sweep

In a stunning display of versatility and precision, the Arcieri dell’Elice archery club from Cuneo captured a haul of gold medals across two different cities and two distinct disciplines this past weekend. On Saturday, May 9, the Cuneo-based powerhouse split its focus between Imperia and Torino, proving that their training regimen translates effectively from the rugged terrain of the outdoors to the strict lines of the target range.

For the global archery community, the success of Arcieri dell’Elice highlights the depth of talent emerging from the Piedmont region. The club didn’t just participate; they swept multiple categories, securing titles in both the “Hunter and Field” format and the traditional “Round” target competitions.

Conquering the Wild: Success in Imperia

While some athletes were focusing on static targets, a contingent of the Cuneo squad headed to Imperia for the “Hunter e Field di primavera,” hosted by A.S.D Arcieri Imperiesi. Unlike traditional target archery, Hunter and Field events take place on courses immersed in nature, requiring archers to navigate slopes and varying elevations.

In these events, athletes are divided into patrols and shoot at targets positioned at either known distances (Field) or unknown distances (Hunter). The targets differ from the standard Olympic rings, featuring concentric circles in yellow and black with a maximum score of six. These conditions test an archer’s ability to judge distance and account for wind and incline—skills that are vastly different from the controlled environment of a stadium.

The results in Imperia were decisive. Kevin Giordana delivered a standout performance to claim gold in the Olympic Bow Allievi Maschile (Youth Male) category. Meanwhile, Gabriella Sasia dominated the Olympic Bow Master Femminile (Women’s Master) division, securing first place after a consistent run through the course.

The club also saw strong performances from Flavio Paradiso, who narrowly missed the podium in the Barebow Master Maschile (Men’s Master Barebow) category and Aurora Maria Tosello, who was recognized as the absolute champion in the regional context.

Precision Under Pressure: The Torino Rounds

Simultaneously, another group of Arcieri dell’Elice athletes competed in Torino at an event organized by A.S.D Arcieri Iuvenilia. This competition focused on the 70/60mt and 50mt Rounds, which are the gold standard for target archery precision.

Caterina Melis emerged as the star of the Torino event. Competing in the Olympic Bow Master Femminile category, Melis captured the gold medal following a dominant qualifying round. She further cemented her status by taking the silver medal during the match-play phase. In this “scontri” (head-to-head) format, archers compete in a series of volleys against every other athlete in their category, leaving no room for a single bad arrow.

The youth pipeline continued to show strength in Torino as well, with Nicolò Parola securing gold in the Olympic Bow Allievi Maschile category. Parola maintained his momentum through the match-play phase, finishing the tournament in a top position.

Technical Breakdown: The Gear and the Game

To understand the magnitude of this weekend’s sweep, it is helpful to distinguish between the equipment and formats used by the Arcieri dell’Elice athletes. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, the distinctions are significant:

• Olympic Bow (Arco Olimpico): Here’s the recurve bow seen in the Olympic Games. It utilizes stabilizers, clickers, and sights to maximize accuracy over long distances.
• Barebow (Arco Nudo): As the name suggests, this bow has no sight or stabilizers. The archer relies on “string walking” and instinct, making Flavio Paradiso’s near-podium finish a testament to raw technical skill.
• Match Play (Fase a Scontri): While the qualifying rounds are about cumulative score, match play is a psychological battle. Archers go head-to-head, where a single mistake can result in immediate elimination.

The ability of a single club to produce gold medalists in both the “Olympic Bow” target format in Torino and the “Field/Hunter” format in Imperia suggests a highly comprehensive coaching approach at Arcieri dell’Elice. Most clubs specialize in one or the other; dominating both in a single day is a rare feat of athletic versatility.

Regional Impact and Momentum

This weekend’s success is not an isolated incident for the Cuneo archers. The club has been on a trajectory of growth throughout the 2025-2026 season, frequently appearing on regional podiums. The combination of veteran Master-level athletes like Melis and Sasia, and rising youth talents like Giordana and Parola, creates a sustainable ecosystem of mentorship and competition within the club.

The victory in Imperia and Torino serves as a critical benchmark for these athletes as they look toward national rankings and potential selections for higher-tier Italian championships. The consistency shown across different terrains—from the natural slopes of Imperia to the flat ranges of Torino—indicates that the Arcieri dell’Elice are currently among the most adaptable teams in the region.

As the regional circuit continues, the focus for Arcieri dell’Elice will shift toward maintaining this momentum. With multiple gold medals now in the trophy case for the spring season, the club has firmly established itself as the team to beat in the Piedmont region.

The next confirmed checkpoint for the regional circuit will be the upcoming summer qualifiers. Stay tuned to Archysport for updated rankings and event schedules.

Do you think the versatility of Field archery makes for a better overall archer than traditional target training? Let us know in the comments below.