It’s going to be a big weekend for Jonathan Schaefer and his coach Dale Chapplow.
The Hall of Fame archers are in Las Vegas for the three-day World Archery Festival hosted by the National Field Archery Association.
The competition will be stiff and plentiful as the local archers pit their nerves and skills against more than 500 international archers in the amateur competition that has a top prize of $2,400.
The pair have been practicing almost daily for weeks, usually a couple of hours at a time.
Chapplow, a coach with the Quesnel River Archers, has modest expectations.
“If I finish in the top 100 I’ll be happy,” he said.
A top archer in his own right, Chapplow admitted the main reason for going to Las Vegas was to guide one of his star pupils - Schaefer.
“Jonathan has a realistic chance of winning the event,” Chapplow said.
“That’s pretty much why I’m going.”
Schaefer who recorded a score of 1,199 out of 1,200 last year also believes he has a shot at the top prize, but admits his biggest obstacle will be shooting with a clear mind and much less the pressure of the competition.
“I’ve been focusing on too many things lately,” he said.
“This is a problem so I’ve been trying to clear my mind.
“For me to shoot well I have to go with a blank mind.”
If he can clear his mind of distractions and deal with the pressure of competition, Schaefer expects to have a perfect competition.
“I want to shoot a 900 out of 900,” he said.
“We shoot one round a day for three days that add up to 900.”
Although he has accomplished the feat before, Schaefer admits that given it is the World Archery Festival, nerves may become an issue.
Nonetheless, he remains confident he can deal with the pressure of the archery festival that draws top archers from around the globe.
“I tend to do well under pressure, so that’s the mindset I’m going to Vegas with,” he said.
Dealing with the pressure will require a clear mind, Schaefer said, adding it is much easier said than done.
“My biggest challenge will be keeping my head clear.
“If I can do that everything else will fall into place.”
Follow the competition at www.nfaa-archery.org/tournaments/vegas/