SWITZERLAND: World Archery announced holding of the the first online archery tournament, which will feature eight archers of compound category – four men and four women.

All international Archery competitions’ are suspended due to COVID-19 attack. As per World Archery plan no physical events are permitted prior to July 2020, with the developing condition being constantly reviewed on monthly basis.

The first remote archery competition, named Lockdown Knockout will be streamed live on the Archery Federation’s digital channels. The matches be held in a remote location and filmed via mobile phones, will be covered live on World Archery’s YouTube and Facebook platforms. The highlights will also be available on linear television channels.

Only those archers will be permitted to participate who can safely shoot within the socially distanced settings and as per the local health guidance will participate.

The tournament will be held as per the schedule appended below. The matches will be held in the afternoon in Europe. The exact scheduling will be on match-by-match basis.

  • 27 April – Participants announced
  • 1-4 May – Qualification period (filmed)
  • 9-12 May – Quarterfinals (live)
  • 14-15 May – Semifinals (live)
  • 17 May – Final (live)

The winner prize money will be 1000 CHF (Swiss Franc) for winner and 500 CHF (Swiss Franc) for the runner-up.

According to the World Archery announcement the Structural and Technical details are as follows:

Structure Details

World Archery rules will apply wherever possible, with common sense adjustments due to limitations caused by the remote nature of the event.

1. Format – The target used will be a 40cm triple-spot target face, triangular or vertical, set at 18 metres. 

2. Qualification – The ranking round will consist of 60 arrows. Men will be seeded on one side of an elimination bracket and women on the other.

3. Matchplay – Each match will consist of 15 arrows with ties resolved in a single-arrow shoot-off.

4. Linecutters – Any decision normally requiring a judge (primarily linecutters) will be decided between the athletes, by the live stream host or, if possible, by allowing the viewing public to vote. These decisions are final.

5. Spirit – While a winner will be crowned, this event is focused on entertainment. Participants are encouraged to embrace the spirit of the event.

Technical Details

Participating archers will send two IP video streams – archer and target – via mobile phones on 4G or laptops on stable wifi to a remote production site. The signals will be mixed with graphics and commentary in Vmix and streamed live by World Archery.

Competitors will only see the broadcast available to the public during the filming of the production. They will be able to interact with their opponent and commentators.