Sport

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance

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).

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Classical and compound bow indoor matches at the 13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Self-rating and marking in the presence of referees at the end of each game (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery – Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Kicking off of the 13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery led by Marie Gabrielle Costa-Bodé, president of the Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco(Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati

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.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Self-rating and marking in the presence of referees at the end of each game (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery – Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Group photo of Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery, Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco

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.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Self-rating and marking in the presence of referees at the end of each game (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery – Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Self-rating and marking in the presence of referees at the end of each game (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery – Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Self-rating and marking in the presence of referees at the end of each game (13th H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup of Archery – Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati

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).

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup, Conseil National President’s Cup, Monegasque Archery Federation Cup and other top list Cups (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Compagnie des Archers du Parc – Mouans-Sartoux being awarded by Marie Gabrielle Costa-Bodé the prestigious Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati

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.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Marie Gabrielle Costa-Bodé, president of the Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco, being interviewed by HelloMonaco (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati

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.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Sonia and David from Première Compagnie de Tir à l’Arc de Monaco, being interviewed by HelloMonaco (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Alain from Paris being interviewed by HelloMonaco (Espace Saint Antoine, 24thFebruary 2019).© Maurizio Abbati

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.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
H.E. Stéphane Valeri, president of the Conseil National, awarding the Monegasque Conseil National President’s Cup to the male compound bow team from Antibes (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
The female classical bow team 1 from Nice being awarded the Monegasque Archery Federation Cup (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
Prince Albert II of Monaco Cup hit the spot at best archery performance
Compagnie des Archers du Parc – Mouans-Sartoux being interviewed by HelloMonaco (Espace Saint Antoine, 24th February 2019).© Maurizio Abbati
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