Vittel Prepares to Host Top Archers for the French Indoor Championships
Excitement is building in Vittel as the city gears up to welcome nearly 400 archers for the French Indoor Championships. This prestigious event, taking place from Friday to Sunday at the Omnisports Planning Center (CPO), marks a triumphant return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Philippe Mangin, head of the organizing committee, expressed his delight at bringing this major sporting event back to Vittel. “We were originally scheduled to host the championships in 2021, but the cancellation allowed us to secure the 2022 edition,” he explained.
This year’s championships hold special meaning as they represent the culmination of a six-year agreement between the Vittel Archery Club, the French archery Federation, and the city of Vittel. Since 2016, Vittel has proudly hosted the event, showcasing its world-class facilities and passionate archery community.
Local Stars Aim for Glory
Among the competitors, two local archers from Thaon-les-Vosges, Valentin Joubert and Marie Lejeune, are poised to make a strong impression. Joubert, a compound bow specialist, is enjoying a stellar season, recently clinching the Vosges championship title. Lejeune, who reached the quarterfinals of the French championships in 2019, is determined to climb the ranks and challenge for a top spot.Adding to the local excitement, two archers from Dombasle, paulette Court and Emmanuel Masson, will also be vying for glory. Court, the reigning French classic senior 3 champion, and Masson, the 2021 French classic senior 2 champion, are both formidable contenders.
National Champion Lisa Barbelin Headlines the Event
The championships will also feature some of France’s most accomplished archers, including lisa Barbelin. The 21-year-old mosellane, now representing riom in the Puy-de-Dôme region, is a rising star in the archery world. Having honed her skills at the Nancy Archery Center in her youth, Barbelin is a European indoor champion and holds the French record for indoor archery, a feat she achieved in January 2022.
A Legacy of Success for Vittel
Philippe Mangin,reflecting on Vittel’s successful hosting of the championships over the years,highlighted the positive impact on the city’s image. “It has allowed us to showcase our club’s capabilities and demonstrate our commitment to providing a top-notch experience for archers,” he said. “The archers consistently praise the warm welcome they receive in vittel.”
The french Indoor Championships promise to be a thrilling spectacle, with archers from across the country battling for national supremacy. The competition kicks off on Friday afternoon with the first qualifying round, followed by the first individual matches in the evening.
Vittel Aims for Bullseye: Discussing the Future of french Archery With Olympian Aurore Barbelin
The excitement is palpable in Vittel. Nearly 400 archers are ready to descend upon the Omnisports Planning Center for the French Indoor Championships, marking a victorious return after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. to delve deeper into this exciting event and the future of French archery, I’m joined by none othre than Olympian Aurore Barbelin, who knows a thing or two about hitting the mark.
Aurore, welcome! It’s an honor to have you on the show.
Aurore Barbelin: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to talk about archery, especially with such a major event on the horizon.
Let’s start with Vittel. This city has become synonymous with top-tier archery, hosting these championships for the past six years. What do you think makes Vittel such a great venue for this event?
Aurore Barbelin: Vittel has done an exceptional job building a supportive archery community. The facilities at the Omnisports planning Center are top-notch, and the city itself offers a welcoming atmosphere for athletes. It’s a winning combination.
Absolutely. And speaking of welcoming, we have some strong local contenders this year. Valentin Joubert, fresh off his vosges Championship win, and Marie Lejeune, a quarterfinalist in 2019, are definitely archers to watch. Do you think having these local talents competing will add extra excitement to the championships?
aurore Barbelin: Definitely. Hometown support can be a powerful motivator. It’ll be interesting to see how these local archers perform under pressure, especially with the audience cheering them on.
And of course, we can’t forget about the reigning National Champion Lisa Barbelin, who is arguably the hottest name in French archery right now. her recent achievements, including the European Indoor Championship and breaking the French record, are truly remarkable. What do you think sets lisa apart as an archer?
Aurore Barbelin: Lisa is an incredible talent. Her dedication to the sport is unwavering, and her focus is exceptional. She combines technical prowess with a calm composure under pressure. It’s a winning recipe.
There’s no doubt about that. Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on the future of French archery? Do you see this event in Vittel as a stepping stone for greater achievements on the international stage?
Aurore Barbelin: I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of French archery. We have a strong pool of young talent coming up, and events like the French Indoor Championships provide a valuable platform for these archers to showcase their skills and gain experience. With continued support and dedication, I believe we can achieve great things internationally.
Fantastic outlook, Aurore.Thank you so much for your insights and for taking the time to speak with us today.
Aurore Barbelin: My pleasure.
To our readers: What are your thoughts on the french Indoor Championships and the future of French archery? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below! Let’s keep the conversation going.
