MandyMcGregor.co.nz

06, Aug, 2010

I'm not sure what day it is, all I know is we've had official practise, and the ranking round.  I got my first decent sleep last night since we have been here, ad that has made me very happy.  The heat really seems to take it out of you, as soon as you walk outside, regardless of time of day (actually early evening seems to be pretty bad) you are enveloped in hot air. You cant escape it.

Official practise day went fine, we had to shoot the morning and then the afternoon. We headed to Wal-Mart. That was something to do (there's not a lot in Ogden) and now I dont need to ever go there again. Its just Warehouse all over again.  Practise as I mentioned was fine, but it wasnt as good as I would have liked - archers are never happy of course - and I couldnt seem to find any rhythm. But, I figured an average practise would make for an ok ranking round.

They had a street party on historic 25th St www.historic25.com which is one down from where we are staying. There were parades and all the shops had stalls out so you could give them a couple of vouchers and have any kind of food you wanted.  The line for sushi was permanently huge so I had some mexican, a healthy quinoa salad, and a hickory smoked spare rib.  That was cool.  They introduced the USA Archery team and then they did a demonstration in the middle of the street, and there were dancers and all sorts going on.  It was pretty cool.  Took my camera, and halfway thru realised my memory card was in my pc. Doh!    Snapped some with my phone, will upload later.

Official ranking round was done in the morning, which was good. I had a restless sleep and wasnt really with the programme however I started ok.  I was on target 2 with Erika Anschultz from USA, Ashley Wallace from Canada and Fiona Hyde from Aus.  All great shooters. I started the first half, threw a couple of nervous arrows into the 7, but settled and shot 330 for the 6 ends. Certainly not my best, but in a World Cup I have to say I was feeling that was ok for me, the other world cups I havent shot as well as that. So I was hopeful.  Second half I was ready to shoot and looking forward to it and started ok, but as it went on I got worse & worse.  I found it hard to keep steady and I hadnt eaten enough in the first half to get me thru. Bad move, but learnt from it. I was hanging out for a peanut butter sandwich!

Steph and Shaun were the mixed team and were us against the USA. They did great taking the first set, and drawing the second.  In the end they missed out but both shot well, and made the USA team work hard. USA are now thru to the Gold medal match.

Best sleep so far as I said, and we have eliminations this afternoon. Funnily enough the sun is out - how unusual.. NOT!  Looking forward to it, dont know whom I'm up against, its going to be fun anyway.  I like a challenge!

Time for brekkie.