MandyMcGregor.co.nz

05, Sep, 2009

You have 12 arrows to knock out your opponent at 70m and if you start slowly then its tought to get back on top. I was up against Natalia Londono first from Colombia whom was on my target in the ranking round.  When I got up this morning I struggled to eat and wake up & by the time I got onto the bus I was shaking, sweating and wanting to throw up. I rushed to the toilet as soon as we got to the field and then it all came out the other end. I think I have a tummy bug!  And yeah probably nerves played a part in it too.

1/64th Elimination.  So, the match was interesting, I was preserving energy and trying to be calm, and after the first 6 arrows we each had 55 points. The next end we picked up exactly the same points again, which means you have to have a one-arrow shoot off.  I was already shaking and the pressure was intense, so I got up there and without thinking about it, shoot a 10! Natalia shoots an 8, and I have achieved my goal for the day.  I was really really happy with that.

1/32nd Elimination. After yet another loo stop, I was up against 4th seed Andrea Weihs from Germany. After the first end I only shot a 52, she shoots a 55 (this is out of a possible 60 points per end) and I'm sure she relaxed a bit, I was ranked 68th so was no threat to her really. Got up to the line for the last 6 arrows, and I shot a 59 to her 54 - I beat her by 2 points!!!   This has been the highlight of the trip for me so far. I was so excited, Shane was standing behind me and was just as nervous, it was awesome.

1/16th Elimination. Next up, the Mexican Almendra Ochoa. She is a fantastic shooter, and didnt give away anything. After the first end I was 5 points down, so I knew there was no coming back, and did my best at the last end, but only scored a 53 to end up 9 points behind her. Although I was disappointed with my score I was really pleased to have gotten that far, and managing to handle the pressure and the feeling sick, it was such a great buzz and great experience.

Steph and Linda had byes for the first end and then into their second matches Linda had a tied result after 12 arrows, and had to have a shoot off. They tied on the shoot-off and then Marika Jaatma from Estonia shot another 10 to Linda's 9.  Steph was up against 25th seed Anastasio Anastasia from Italy whom is always in the top bunch in all the world cups, so it was a tough starting match for Steph, and the italian took the match.

The guys are shooting now, so we are watching eagerly to see how they get on.