3D Eliminations in Yankton 2026

This is going to be a brutally honest depiction of my elimination day at the 3D World Champs 2026. What shooting can look like when nothing is in place.

Like I wrote in my earlier post, the matches didn’t go well this year. I have analyzed my performance and state of mind during those two H2Hs. I’ll continue my training with more data and a clear mind regarding what I need to concentrate on.

There are certain mental barriers I need to break down, as well as some technical aspects. That said, I’m ready to admit my shooting is good enough and I have the skill. I don’t need to be shy or uncertain about that. It’s mostly about my distance judging and the mental side that I have to work on more.

First 1/8 match 

My first match was against Jayme Buchanan from the USA. The judges walked us to a familiar course, where our first qualification day was held. They had moved some animals. In most cases, they only moved the pegs slightly. I guess it would’ve taken too much time or effort to build a totally new course. And it was the same for everyone, so fair play?

In my case, I’m not so sure. Maybe it affected me somewhat. Did I become too sloppy or maybe just didn’t concentrate enough? I know from experience it’s not necessarily a good thing to shoot a course again. I just can’t give my 100% to every step of my shot process, mainly distance judging. I need to work on that…

1. Big Ten 2.0

Jayme and I shot first. I thought the buck was pretty far out and I shot an OK 8. The second arrow was a miss under or left of the animal. I can’t quite remember. Last time I shot a double 8...Anyhow, it's the worst kind of target, when you have a bad second arrow. You would want to make a good correction, not to mess things up. Breathe…

2. Standing Stone Sheep

The same target we shot on the first qualification day, but a bit further away. Again, the first arrow was a great 10, but the second was a terrible 5! Why can’t I concentrate? Why do I feel like I’m not in a competition?

3. Alligator

Now this is a scary slim target up on a hill with nothing but blue sky behind it. This is something I could shoot well. It’s ”all or nothing” and these kinds of targets have—for some reason—been my thing now. I follow my shot routine and shoot a decent 8 a bit to the left, followed by—yet again—a lower score of 5. But both arrows are firmly in the target.

4. Hogzilla

This should be rather basic. But no. Too hasty with my shot process, which resulted in me hitting two low 8s. Maybe I calibrated my aim too much when I saw a high miss from Jayme. I never see what other people shoot when I’m in a flow state. Now there’s another cue about my mental sharpness…The what now?

5. Corsican Ram

That must be 28 meters. It’s far away. Nope—an acrobatic arrow flies over, ricocheting into a somersault. My god, what am I doing. The second arrow hits a 5 to the left. Utterly terrible performance.

6. Feeding Doe

Now here’s a possibility for a redemption. Must be over 16 m and under 18. It should be doable as long as I do everything as I normally do. Once again I see what my opponent shoots. Why can’t I have my narrow focus only on my own performance? I can't hold the center line and I end my match with barely staying inside the vital area with a double 8. 

Second 1/4 match 

The second match was against Kim Timberlake, also from the USA. I tried to gather my thoughts and concentrate more. I had no need to calm down—I wasn't nervous. Maybe that was the issue. Not enough adrenaline.

1. Alert Deer

First target is somewhere around 21-22 m. A couple meters further than last time we shot it. I landed a low 5 with my first arrow. At least it’s not a miss. I couldn’t make a correction and hit another low 5! Ugh. We both had a rough start with double 5s.

2. Bedded buck

Again, another target that is essentially the same. I wasn’t confident with my shot and had a low miss. OK, I’ll aim higher. Another miss just under the buck. Well then, that was it, I thought. I knew better than to think this way in a 3D match as anything can happen, yet I wasn't in the right mindset to fight.

3. Bighorn Sheep

This one doesn’t seem too tricky. I’m aware how far behind I am in points. I’m not giving up, but don’t feel too optimistic either. ”Let’s just go on with this”. 

I estimate the distance this time a bit too long and hit a high 5. Oops. I make a great correction and shoot an 11. I guess the horrid smell of soil-coated fletching worked as a smelling salt. It was first scored as a 10, even though I thought it was an 11. I didn’t feel like debating or calling a judge. But as the other ladies had the need to call a judge, I asked to be re-evaluated and had a correction in my scorecard.

4. Strutting Turkey

Same target but further away, again. I’ve said it before, I hate these birdies. A fat ball with tiny barely noticeable vital area. Nice height on the first arrow, but it landed left, outside the 8-ring. Did I even check the score with my binoculars after the first arrow? I shot another 5 just next to the first one. Figures.

5. Big Black Bear

Oh, the target is closer this time, but otherwise still the same as the first qualification day. I felt there was nothing I could do anymore. I’ve lost. Let’s just shoot two good arrows. And I did. They were the best-feeling arrows in Yankton. My back was engaged, my draw was smooth, I was confident in my distance judging and the release felt wonderful. Perfect height and two 10s. "Too little, too late", I said out loud.

6. Signature 1/3 scale Elk

My head was already somewhere else. I’m not sure if I got the distance wrong, but it wasn’t supposed to be a difficult target. Just didn’t care and shot two low 5s. Not the way I wanted to end this match. I think you should give credit to your opponent and do your best even when losing was already a done deal. Kim shot really well and deserved to go through to the semifinals. This wasn’t my time.

Conclusion

Every setback is just more data for the comeback. Yankton showed me exactly what I'm capable of when the routine clicks—and what happens when it doesn't. I’m leaving this chapter behind with no doubts about my skills or potential. Time to take these lessons home, focus on the mental game and get back to work.