My first 1440 (FITA) with 720

My first 1440 was quite an experience, not really being able to see your own arrows at 90 meters makes it quite difficult to adjust your sight. Especially since we are 3 on the butt. The fact that one of the guys also shot Carbon Core Blackbirds was good to see more people on the line using these arrows for competition. Nic Weber really made it look easy at the range with his current setup although his arrows were also mostly dark carbon, also with black and white fletches.

A few rounds in I found out a cap touching your string can be quite catastrophic, as I was a full draw on 70m I was not aware my cap was pushing on my string. As I released the arrow went about 2 meters high over the target into the safety wall. I can at least say after retrieving my arrow the tip was fine, the shaft was fine and everything was still in perfect condition. Lesson learned. No more caps that can touch my string no matter what I do! When we finally approached 50 meters I was much more comfortable and at 30 after 108 arrows I was ready to abuse the gold! Thankfully that saved me quite a bit. My first 1440 went okay managing 1280/1440 with an arrow gone AWOL, fletch fleeing mid shot also ending right beside the target.

The next day was the 720 which saw quite a few more archers on the line. Things did not go too bad during the ranking round, unfortunately, the eliminations were a bit harsh with the tired arms of the previous day.

Markspark is one of those ranges that sporadically get the wild winds. As I finished my 720 I did find a pleasant surprise that I got Bronze for 1440.

Another event done and dusted.

Elgro IFAA Field

Addiction comes in many forms, but the one thing I do enjoy is the challenge field offers. You can know every distance you will shoot by heart but there are so many elements affecting it. You have to take your footing, the wind, the angle of the sun, the constantly changing angle of the sun and so many other factors into account.

I was quite eager to shoot here in Potchefstroom since in 2018 the world fields will be held in the same area.

Beautiful Elgo River Lodge

The Lodge is about 30km outside of Potchefstroom, the morning we arrived there was nerve wracking. There are mountains all around you, a strong wind and the temperature was quite low. Getting out to the practice range the freezing winds were strong and already I could feel the control in my hands were slipping away. Getting to the range from the lodge was done with a few game cruisers, everywhere I looked I could see so many terrifying possible spots for shots.

Arriving at the range was a strange sight, there was a large tent in the middle of an open, rather flat field. Standing from one spot you could pretty much see all 28 targets around you in a circular shape. It looked somewhat boring, but the wind had a role to play with no trees or hills really breaking the wind on this open field.

Luckily I started on the bunnies, so I had an opportunity to adjust my sight. Shooting with a few archers that knew the finer things of archery. My thumb release was difficult to let off, I considered moving over to my backtension, but the wind did not calm down. A few great rounds and a few rounds that left a bit to be desired.

2 great examples of archery

Even though the course looked easy, the wind was a factor no one expected to be that influential. The cold wind affected my knee more than what I hoped for, so moving was a tedious task.

After our 112 arrows I ended the day less than what I was aiming for, but acceptable.

The next day the cold was still the bit the wind much more under control. A enjoy the hunter round a tend to do quite a bit better when shooting it. My black dot tends to do better on the black targets.

Everything started off much better, my score was looking better and my arrows tended to hit their targets much better. 

A windy day, in the open

All went well that was until about halfway through, now the wind came back with a vengeance. Our long shots were all lined up and I saw the issues we were about to encounter.

This is what happens if your sight is right

On our 60 yards shot the wind came with a strong gust just as was about to release and it pushed me off the target just enough to score a 0... Just as my arrow hit the target I knew that things are about to get harder, and I was right. A few other guys in our group also hit a 0. 

Eventually, as we neared the end the wind died down again, but the damage was already done. Now it came to fighting hard enough to try and match the score of the previous day. Thankfully I managed to match the previous day's score.

The open spaces field in Potchefstroom offers

 Overall I did learn a few new things again, but as I shoot more and more in the wind I slowly learn the tricks of this fine art.