Held June 16, 2018 at Baronial Investiture in Iron Bog.
Royalty: Brennan III and Caoilfhionn III
Retiring Champions: Kusunoki Yoshimoto and Siobhan Inghean Cormaic
Winner and Queen’s Champion: Colin Ursell
Selected as King’s Champion: Ruan Shi Tian
The archery champions tournement this year was held in Iron Bog at their Baronial Investiture. It was a beautiful, sunny day as 35 to 40 archers took the field. Their Majesties, Brennan and Caoilfhionn, presented medals to the adult winners of the 2017 IKAC; earlier this year, medals were presented locally to the East’s young winners, who are all from Stonemarche. Lord Pavel — who bears a stunning resemblance to Lord Kusunoki Yoshimoto — announced that all the day’s shoots would have a Russian theme, with subjects drawn from fairy tales, traditions and even cartoons of that culture. He also cautioned archers that the Russians are the “good guys”, so Boris and Natasha should NOT be shot, instead archers would score better by hitting a moose or squirrel.
The competition began in the early afternoon with 2 longer-distance shoots by all the participants — first, at a rank of charging mongols, and second, at a retreating moose (positive points) holding a revered icon (negative points).
Archers formed small groups and proceeded through a 10 station roving range. The shoots were: Snegurochka and Father Frost’s freezing staff; Axe Soup; Baba Yaga; Rocket J. Squirrel (flying, of course); Spinning Axe; Nesting Dolls; Killing Koshtchev the Immortal; Salt and Bread; Nightingale the Robber; Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris and Natasha friend/foe.
26 archers turned in their scores, and a ranked list was prepared. After a short break, archers and spectators gathered near the finals range, which was set up adjacent to the main hall of the event. Each archer in turn was asked if they would continue into the finals and accept the responsibilities of serving as a Champion, should they win or be selected.
The following top scorers declined to participate in the finals:
- Grimm (139)
- Miles de Locwode (133)
- Treya min Teanga (127)
- Li Kung Lo (123)
- Lewin (107)
- Peter the Red (105)
As 4 of these 6 top scorers were from Atlantia, there was appreciation and relief expressed that they will be our allies at Pennsic!
The final 16 competitors were seeded into head-to-head pairings, with the winners advancing to the next bracket. Finalists had to knock down 5 Tetris pieces, then shoot a final center target to end the pairing. The shooting line was moved to change the distance between rounds. Several pairings were excitingly close, but the winner of the day and the title of Queen’s Archery Champion was Baron Colin Ursell!
A short time after the finals ended, Court was held. The first item of archery business was the hand-off of the job of Captain General from Master Godric to Baron Colin. Next, Lord Yoshi — err — Pavel retired and Baron Colin was invested as Queen’s Archery Champion. Then, Lady Siobhan inghean Cormaic was thanked for her service, and His Majesty proclaimed that his choice for his King’s Archery Champion was Lord Ruan Shi Tian!
| Top 16 | Quarter-Finals | Semi-Finals | Finals | ||
1 | Rupert the Unbalanced (154) | ||||
16 | Lada Monguligin (65) | Rupert | |||
8 | Conor O'Ceallaigh (101) | Rupert | |||
9 | Dorian of Lewes (94) | Dorian | |||
4 | Godric of Hamtun (132) | Rupert | 2nd | ||
13 | Eoin an Doire (79) | Godric | |||
5 | Ryan Mac Whyte (123) | Godric | |||
12 | Rolland Ian MacPherson (80) | Ryan | |||
2 | Colin Ursell (144) | ||||
15 | Tysha z Kieva (72) | Colin | |||
7 | Edmund Harper (114) | Colin | |||
10 | Sojourner van Haarlem (92) | Edmund | |||
3 | Mungu Chinua (134) | Colin | Winner | ||
14 | Mikjall Bogmadr (76) | Chinua | |||
6 | Ruan Shi Tian (118) | Shi Tian | |||
11 | Elizabeth Hawkwood (82) | Shi Tian |
Photos by Mistress Ygraine of Kellswood.