Stephan Hansen posted consecutive halves of 357 points for a 714 total and another top seeding on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.

At halfway, the USA’s Bridger Deaton, who arrived in Turkey just few a hours prior to competition, had put all of his arrows but one in the 10-ring to sit top with 359 out of 360 points. World number eight Sebastien Peineau and Hansen were tied, two points behind Bridger.

Late in the second half, Frenchman Peineau, who had taken the lead, shot a 57-point end that allowed Hansen to jump ahead.

“My main focus during qualification was to execute by shooting with my back, and do my best to shoot a good arrow,” said Seb. “It worked 11 ends out of 12. I still tied the national record with a solid 713. I am a bit disappointed not to break it, but I will next time.”

Hansen said he checked the scores from recent years in Antalya and, just a few years ago, the top archers were hovering around the 700-point mark. (700 had you 39th at Antalya 2016.)

On this field over the last three years, Stephan has posted scores of 697, 690 and 699. But in 2016, the conditions – he said – were just right, with no wind and little sun poking through the clouds.

“I was expecting wind and to shoot about 700, but it was just the perfect weather from morning until now. I also shot good yesterday in the practice, I shot 357 with a seven, so I knew I could do it today,” said Stephan.

Dutchman Mike “Mister Perfect” Schloesser, was third with 711.

Peter Elzinga, Federico Pagnoni, Braden Gellenthien, Deaton and Martin Damsbo rounded out the top eight. Deaton and Damsbo were tied with Dominique Genet on 707, then beat him out in a shoot-off for the third-round byes.

Three more things worth knowing…

1. Something borrowed

Mario Cardoso didn’t get his bow on time for neither official practice nor the ranking round in Antalya, but the Mexican man had two saviours: Mike Schloesser and Roberto Hernandez.

“As my equipment didn't arrive on time, yesterday I trained with Mike’s bow and Roberto’s release,” explained Mario. “Today I had no other option but to do the same. I felt good, at beginning I was a bit nervous, but a 348 was not too bad considering the circumstances. Then, in the second half, I was feeling more comfortable and I even tied my personal best of 355."

“It was funny because Roberto and I were alternating the release while shooting. Now that my bow is supposed to be at the hotel, I don’t know what to do.”

Mario, alongside with Linda Ochoa-Anderson, qualified 11th for the mixed team.

2. World Cup debutant

Nineteen-year-old Christos Aerikos​ became a Youth World Archery Champion in Legnica 2011. In February, earlier in 2016, he won silver at the World Archery Indoor Championships in Ankara in the junior division – but he’d never been to a Hyundai Archery World Cup stage before.

Seeded 10th in Antalya, Christos was pleased with his first appearance.

“I’m very happy because my training is paying off,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the elimination matches. The weather today was just great, a bit cloudy and no wind, that’s what I like. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

3. Teams

The top three compound men’s seeds at Antalya 2016:

France – 2124 pts

– 2124 pts USA – 2121 pts

– 2121 pts Denmark – 2119 pts

All 16 teams advance to the eliminations phase of the competition.