ARCHERY: Simpson's Swiss test (From Oxford Mail)

ARCHERY: Simpson's Swiss test

6:01pm Wednesday 24th September 2008

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Oxford's Nichola Simpson aims for glory this weekend in the FITA World Cup Grand Final, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

She will battle it out with 15 other top archers in one of the most prestigious events in the international sport.

The 52-year-old competes in the women's compound tournament, alongside three rivals Jamie Van Natta, 30, of the United States, Croatia's Ivana Buden, 23, and 24-year-old Amandine Bouillot of France.

Simpson qualified for the final after finishing in the top four overall World Cup standings in four qualifying tournaments, in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Porec (Croatia), Antalya (Turkey) and Boe (France).

She won silver at Porec and Boe, and with a 12th place finish in Antalya and 14th in Santo Domingo, it saw her finish third overall in the standings.

The top 16 at each tournament score points towards the overall total after four rounds.

Like Nichola, Buden and Bouillot are taking part in their first World Cup Grand Finals, while Van Natta has reached the event for the third year running. In 2006 in Mexico, she was fourth, and last year she won the bronze medal.

Simpson starts her campaign at 11am local time on Saturday against Buden, whom she has never faced.her three rivals she has never previously shot against in a head-to-head competition.

The winner goes through to the final, while the loser goes into the bronze medal match.

Simpson is confident, having not only qualified for these finals, but also broken five world masters (over 50s) records this year.

"I'm really excited about it, but nervous too," said Nichola, who headed off to Switzerland on Wednesday.

"It's such a thrill to reach the World Cup Grand Final, and be part of such a prestigious event.

"I am not just going to make up the numbers, I'm going to win."

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