BTC Debate/Bunfight Chill Out Zone

[martin]

I thought I'd start off this "cooling off" thread to get away from the great BTC debate/bun fight and try and get people to talk about how their season is going this year.

There'll be no opinions expressed about the choice of rounds shot at tournaments etc. just have a natter and let people catch up with whats happenning with yourselves.

I'll start. I bought myself a new bow three weeks ago and because I was down at Dover, couldn't really play with it that much although I did sneak onto the field one night and have a shoot with it.

I was on the field crew at Dover and had a right laugh. I nearly convinced myself that the Archery World Cup was in need of a streaker and that I was the man for the job. Luckily, I decided against it which was probably a good thing or Lynne Evans would probably have had my head on a spike at dover Casle by now.

I've got about 5 more shoots to play with my new bow before the end of the season to qualify for Bejing (ha!) then my wife and I are (fingers crossed) having our first(last) baby at the end of October.

Who's next?

[Shirt]

I decided to go with ACEs rather than X10s this year because I was sick of worrying every time I shot an X10 into a stand leg through the seven ring. Shot ACEs a bit in practice in March and April and they were awesome. Then had a month and a bit coming up to exams when I shot one and a half times total.

Still trying to recover from that, won't get MB this year and don't actually care... shot yesterday in cold drizzle and slight breeze, squelching to the target and back on a sodden rugby pitch, and it was almost the most fun I've had shooting since about May.

This working for a living doesn't half get in the way of archery!

[Marcus26]

Had a setback a few weeks ago. Had been shooting really well and then overnight the wheels fell off. Took me a week of messing about before I leveled my tiller and shortened my draw a few days before our indoor. Shot badly there too.
A few weeks later noticed that in messing with my tiller I caused my nocking point to move. I knew this but did not think of it.
Now 2 weeks later I am starting to come good again. The 4 weeks of poor shooting had thrown my form right out and I had lost my touch.

Shot much better last night, so will be back in the game soon.

Have my Allegiance riser off being anodized as well. Hope to get it back tomorrow.

[Zanda]

Sadly my season has been none existant. Started last years indoor season intent on shooting all the shoots I could, managed 4, then my shoulder played up, and have just started shooting, but THE thing is, I am coming back !

[grantwomack]

The season has been going well for me. New PBs all around in every type of round/distance I've shot, so I'm very happy with how it's been going! 1300* and 80 points up on last year's national ranking total, I've met almost every goal I set for myself. The others are out of my hands though! I'm getting to frustration boil-over point with other (PU-related) matters, but my shooting is keeping me happy for now.

I even did a spate of field with Stylisht a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it - I think that will be something worth pursuing after the Olympic selection next year! I might even try to get in a tournament or two by the end of 2007.

I bought myself one of the targets from Dover so that I can train at home. There is a huge field two doors down from us that I am going to try to use. Otherwise, the neighbours have kindly allowed me to shoot 50m or so in their side garden. That will make those early November mornings much easier training-wise!

I've also tried out a bit of new kit (field setup) and it seems to be shooting very well indeed! Titan have started making a sexy silver Titan Recurve, so I picked up one of the first out the door! I don't think it'll make an appearance on my target setup yet, but there's always the possibility.

Three more tournaments before the end of the year: Kirby this weekend, Norwich the following weekend and the double FITA at the end of September. Then off to Australia for three weeks in October. Might try to hit a tournament or two while I'm over there... just for fun!

[martin]

Originally Posted by Shirt

I decided to go with ACEs rather than X10s this year because I was sick of worrying every time I shot an X10 into a stand leg through the seven ring.

This will be next years conundrum for me. Do I change from tried and trusted ACES to heavier X10's.....?

It would have been no problem when I was shooting 50lbs but now I'm shooting 42lbs I'm not so sure.

[Schme1440]

Good season.

Second year back and first year back with bespoke setup not just what I had lying around.

My Goal for this year was 1150+ Fitas and to hit 900 Albion. Hit the 1150+ mark twice at lilleshall. Albions are important in essex as this is our club League Match round. Set target of 900. Target reached. Avergae has dropped since June match (900 scored at second match) so looking to improve on that and average over 880.

After the last match in Sept (of which will decide the league), and we win the league for seocnd year and I win the individual prize for first time, I will be training for Vegas. My first Las Vegas trip and shoot next year, so alot of indoor shooting and more traveling then I have ever done for indoors.

Next years goal is for 1200+ FITA's. These maybe small goals for some people but Im not ready to go rushing into it. I want to shoot better than I ever have so am willing to take the time.

Oh and looking to increase shooting weight to 50# (currently on 48 with ease)

[avalon]

Hmm, my season started and finished with Bronte!! Had big plans for the rest of the summer, but have been suffering with glandular fever, so it all went a bit astray... oh well Am hoping that I might get a shoot in before the end of the year (2*1300 at Lilleshall would be ok ) but otherwise will work hard over the winter and join you all next year...

I'm so pleased to see so many of my archery friends doing well and fulfilling their potential this summer, I'm just disappointed not to have seen it all for myself...

Grant, I'm also thinking of having a bash at field, but have never done it... but might see you on some field courses next summer too

[moo-mop]

The season isn't over yet but, as this is possibly my last year as a competitive (yet hobbyist) archer, I have tried to make the most of it aided and abetted by interesting weather. Not only did I not get drunk with you lot at the euronations but have been swimming at Oxford and up to my knees in mud at Cleve.

The great thing is always you get to go so many interesting places (Oxford, Exmouth, Norfolk) and meet lots of interesting people.

Scores wise:
first March and new pbs in the FITA 18, FITA 25 and Portsmouth were all nice, especially for being unexpected.
Outdoor scores generally are up and down but finally managed a OK FITA 70m, new pbs for 90 and 30 distances, double FITA and yes the York too. FITA averages are up, and GMB didn't come by luck right at the end of the season. My ranking will go down but that doesn't mean I shot worse, rather that more of the archers that are far better than I want to be will actually get one.

Main archery issues that'll need fixing if I carry on:
Doing badly on the second day of shoots.
Shooting a untuned bow - bareshaft flying off the scale by everybody else's reckoning - still worrying about it, but not too much.

Main things that've been better:
Technique more settled and needs less fiddling to remember now there been no major change since 2006.
Strength - although I only pull 46lbs.

[Big Bird]

Good call Martin!! It must be your sensible head now that your nearly a dad!!

Well I was really please with last year but this year has definately overtook it!

This years goals where:-

Ranked top 2 field (on track!)
GMB field (got 2 scores need another 2 that I keep just missing out on!)
GB Team Croatia (been came 10th was pleased for my first international but upstaged by my awesome Neice Amy who won!)
Win British Field Championships (came 2nd again to Amy - damn kids! lol)
Ranked top 10 target (no idea where this lottery will turn out! But fita scores already better that last years, 720 needs work!)
Shoot 1 GMB score target (grrrrrrrrrrrrr need some more points!)
Get on England Team (Did it - shot it - fell over!)

Looking forward to indoors and shooting Fita 18s and want to make team again next year for the World Field in Wales (if not ill be a volunteer!!). Going to Vegas for the 3rd time!

Made lots of new friends!

Thats me!!