Australian archers Ben Nott and Alice Ingley are on target to shoot some quality scores having settled into their new surroundings in Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games.

With the Games now underway, both archers have been soaking up the atmosphere by participating in the opening ceremony and having a good look around the tropical city.

Coach Peter Feeney has been working hard to keep his young athletes both mentally and physically fit. Having arrived several days before the games began, Feeney said it was important to keep his athletes fresh.

“I’ve really made an effort to keep them occupied – to get out and try everything that’s on offer,” Feeney said on Sunday.

“We had a fantastic time at the opening last night and at the welcome ceremony the other day too – it’s important to remember that while we are here to compete, there’s another side to the Games.

“Both Ben and Alice were really keen to get out here on the first day and start practicing but archery can be very mentally taxing and it really is important that they are ready for competition and not too burned out.

“It’s important to train but having other things to do will certainly help to keep us mentally focussed.”

Rain has left the archery venue at Kallang Field very muddy and both archers could have done with gum-boots to battle the elements.

Other than the weather, Nott suggested the venue was above average and he was feeling fit for competition.

“Apart from a little bit of mud, everything has been really good here – the mud really doesn’t bother me,” Nott said.

“I’ve been training hard for the last four or five weeks – prior to that I just felt like my draw strength and bow fitness weren’t as good as they needed to be so I’ve been working very hard to improve that and keep it at a high level.”

Perth product Ingley was also quick to confirm the venue as top quality. She said a quick scrub would have her sneakers looking good as new.

“The range here is very good and the heat isn’t a problem at all, I’ll have to drop my runners in the wash but that’s ok,” Ingley said.

“If the flags are on the move then I just have to concentrate a bit more but I’m very happy with how things are going so far, I’m pretty good in the wind.”

Both Nott and Ingley had returned good results from training on Saturday and Sunday but Nott said it was hard to tell how things would turn out on the day.

“It’s a funny thing, some days you feel like you’re shooting well, but it just doesn’t go straight then other days you can feel like you’re off and post a really good score,” he said.

“It’s been a bit like that here I guess, so I don’t think we will know what will happen until we begin competition.”

The strongest opposition is set to come from the Koreans, while European, North American and Asian countries have all posted tough contests in the recent past.

The official training session for archery will be held on Wednesday, August 18 with competition starting the following day, Thursday August 19. Three medals are on offer – men’s singles, women’s singles and the mixed doubles which involves two competitors from different countries.

Elliot Woods

AOC