Archers aim for top prize at Canadian Championships in PEI.
[ad_1]
After a two-year delay, approximately 300 archers gathered in Prince Edward Island for the Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships.
The competition was originally scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to pandemic restrictions.
« It’s long overdue, » said Duncan Crawford, president of the PEI Archery Association.
« A little thing called COVID happened. So here we are, 2022, and we finally have our chance to showcase Prince Edward Island »
Prince Edward Island welcomes for the first time
This is the first time national archery championships have been hosted in the province. There are athletes of all ages from across the country, he said.
« Organizing an event of this magnitude is extremely rewarding and exciting, » said Crawford.
« It’s just great to see so many friends and everyone enjoying the sport of archery again. »
The championships are a combination of three events: 3D, field and target competition.
“It’s so nice to finally be back after so many years,” said longbow archer Miranda Sparkes of British Columbia.
« It’s honestly like a big family reunion coming to these events every year. »
Preparation for the world championships
This week, she is aiming to win national championship gold. But soon, she will have a new target and will be aiming for her second medal at the world championships.
« That kind of level of competition helps prepare you for the level of competition you’ll have at the world championships, » Sparkes said.
« They are so helpful. »
The past few years have been difficult for some athletes. As COVID-19 delayed or canceled events entirely, athletes had to adjust their training.
« When you’re trying to create a training plan, you know, it’s hard to know where you’re supposed to peak when you don’t have any event that you’re specifically training for, » said Aaron Bull, the president of Archery. arc Canada.
« Having these meaningful competitions means everything to a top athlete. »
« Super delighted »
Similar to Crawford and Sparkes, Bull is also happy to see everyone finally reunited.
“The last two years have been really difficult because we have continued … to anticipate and prepare for when the restrictions have allowed us to organize events,” he said.
« We’re just thrilled to have been allowed to come here and shoot again and have our first outdoor national championship in two years. »
The championships run until July 24. The target competition will take place at UPEI.
[ad_2]
cbc sp
