The Campionato Regionale di tiro con l’arco, specifically the 12+12 Field Archery specialty, serves as a primary qualification pathway for archers within the Italian regional circuit. Governed by the Federazione Italiana Tiro con l’Arco (FITARCO), this competition format requires participants to navigate a course of 24 targets, split into two distinct halves of 12 targets each, testing both precision and physical endurance across varied terrain.
Understanding the 12+12 Field Archery Format
In the 12+12 Field Archery format, athletes compete on a course consisting of 24 targets. The “12+12” designation refers to the structure of the course: one half involves targets with known distances, while the other half utilizes targets set at unknown distances. According to FITARCO official regulations, this dual-format approach is designed to simulate hunting scenarios, requiring archers to adjust their sight settings and shooting technique rapidly between varied environmental conditions.
Regional championships across Italy are held to determine the top performers who will advance to national-level events. Unlike indoor target archery, which occurs in controlled environments, field archery demands that competitors account for elevation changes, light conditions, and natural obstacles. Archers use three main bow divisions: Recurve (Olympic style), Compound, and Barebow, each with specific technical constraints regarding stabilizers and sights.
Regional Championship Stakes and Qualification
Participation in the Campionato Regionale is a prerequisite for athletes aiming to qualify for the Campionato Italiano Targa and the Campionato Italiano di Campagna. The regional rankings are calculated based on cumulative scores achieved across the series. For many athletes, these regional meets represent the most significant opportunity to earn a national ranking without the travel burden associated with national-level tours.
The scoring system relies on the standard FITARCO point scale, where target faces are divided into colored rings. In field archery, the difficulty is exacerbated by the “marked” and “unmarked” nature of the course. During the unmarked half, archers rely on their ability to estimate distance by eye, a skill that separates elite field archers from their target-shooting counterparts.
Technical Requirements for Competitors
To compete in the regional circuit, archers must hold a valid competitive membership with a club affiliated with the national federation. Equipment checks are mandatory before the start of each competition day. Officials verify that bows, arrows, and accessories meet the specific World Archery standards adopted by the Italian federation. Any deviation from these specifications can result in disqualification or a mandatory move to a different class.
The physical demand of the 12+12 format is significant. Competitors often spend several hours on the course, navigating uneven ground while maintaining the high level of focus required for consistent accuracy. Hydration and gear management are frequently cited by veteran archers as the decisive factors in maintaining performance levels through the second set of 12 targets.
How to Follow the Regional Circuit
Official results, including scorecards and final rankings for each regional event, are published through the IANSEO data portal, which serves as the central hub for Italian archery statistics. Fans and athletes can track the progress of specific clubs and individual archers by filtering for the “Tiro di Campagna” category.
The next confirmed checkpoint for regional athletes is the publication of the updated national ranking list, which typically occurs following the conclusion of the summer regional cycle. Archers interested in participating in upcoming local stages should coordinate with their provincial committee to ensure registration deadlines are met, as these events often reach capacity well in advance of the start date.
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