There is a physical practice that has been accompanying common heritage of mankind for centuries, from ancestral Palaeolithic on. Inspired by the best values of this noble sport boosting solid values, the 13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery was held last Sunday (24th February 2019) at the Espace Saint Antoine in Cap d’Ail, two steps by the renowned Louis II Stadium. A mixed-male female vertical trispot target sessions at 18 meters, for juniors and seniors, sponsored by the Monegasque Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc in partnership with the French Federation of Archery, offered the audience an exciting daily classic and compound bow indoor activity. The challenge was gathering the best archers from French, Italian Riviera and further regional twinned companies and clubs (120 participants in total).
The Male Classical Bow team from the Compagnie des Archers du Parc, based at Mouans-Sartoux, were awarded by Marie Gabrielle Costa-Bodé, President of the Monegasque Company, the prestigious Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup. Cécile, member of the winning team, expressed HelloMonaco her excitement to achieve this accomplishment in the welcoming Principality. H.E. Stéphane Valeri, president of the Conseil National, awarded the Monegasque Conseil National President’s Cup to the male Compound Bow Team from Antibes. The Mairie de Monaco Cup was handed over to the S 2 Classical Bow Team from Mouans-Sartoux by Jacques Pastor, Municipal deputy for sports and leisure. Finally, the Monegasque Archery Federation Cup went to the Female Classical Bow team 1 from Nice and the Board of Education for Youth and Sports Cup to the Junior Team from Nice.
Archery for 10,000 years was mainly a hunting practice and a defence tool. In the Sixteenth century, it started evolving in a ruled activity attracting soon a great audience, as testified by the first witnessed competition held in United Kingdom with more than 3,000 followers. That was just the first step of a long-lasting success encouraging the classic archery to be officially accredited as modern sport by the Olympic Committee in early Twentieth century until nowadays. Many people around the world are currently excited to hit the edge, in the literal sense of the word. Thus, throwing your own arrows, with unmistakable fletching, to specific concentric-circle targets has developed in a kaleidoscope of professional sporting disciplines with their special features. It includes outdoor and indoor plus a combined ski, golf and horse riding versions.
Any stroke is the result of a refined shooting technique aimed at being as much fluid, accurate and smooth as possible in every 2-minute match, counting on dominant eye sight and muscular power able to hold a bow that weights 4kg up. Everything in accordance with detailed rules appointed by international organizations like the Fédération International de Tir à l’Arc (FITA), recently renamed in World Archery Federation (WA), or the International Field Archery Association (IFAA).
Founded in 1957, the Monegasque Archery Company is now a consolidated reality in the Principality playing as a reference point for both Monegasque and French Riviera amateurs and professionals led to their success through the cooperation of both staff and volunteers who did their very best last Sunday. Which are the core values supporting such a prestigious sport event? HelloMonaco asked Marie Gabrielle Costa-Bodé (MGCB), President of the Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco.
HelloMonaco: Madame Costa, what are the main missions of your Club?
MGCB: Since its establishment, we have been acting under the umbrella of the Monegasque Fédération de Tir primarily offering weekly mixed-gender training courses for all ages and stages of expertise at La Carabine de Monaco. We always try to disseminate principles of mutual respect, safety and responsibility since this sport is based on holding a weapon that can hurt if misused. Concerning fitness, all archers are following swimming and muscle strengthening programs focused on arms as well as back, including stress-relief sessions.
At the 13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery, all athletes had to balance their emotions respecting the lines and all procedural steps, under the watchful eyes of a team of qualified referees. Sonia, from the Monegasque team, was particularly honoured to achieve the Senior Female Classic Bow Podium representing her club at home, in Monaco. David, from the Monegasque Team, explained to HelloMonaco how important is to keep the score results of a self-rating at the end of each game, as in the case of golf. Alain, from Paris, competing for the Compound Bow challenge, was delighted to visit the Principality while sharing a high-standard and very well-organized tournament, in the pleasant company of other partners. He started quite early practicing this sport, then, following some-year gap, he rejoined it benefiting from new technologies that have made even more high-performing equipment. «You first have to amuse yourself while drawing a bow; secondly you need to improve your technique. Both things have to coexist accompanied by a good mood and a quiet approach, otherwise things could get very complicated», concluded Alain.
