Oxfordshire's Nichola Simpson has set her sights on winning gold at the World Championships in Korea later this year after defending her women's compound title at the Las Vegas Archery Festival in the United States.

Simpson, 52, who was a silver medalist at last year's FITA World Cup Grand Final, was in superb form as she defeated a top-class field to take the gold medal for the second year running.

The event involves shooting 30 arrows a day, over three days, from 18 metres.

AndSimpson dropped just one point as she topped the leaderboard with an incredible 899 points out of 900, to leave home archers Tiffany Reeves and Mary Hamm in second and third respectively.

“I'm absolutely delighted,” she said.

“Apart from a very impressive line-up of top Americans, there were many of Europe's finest there too.

“This is just the start to the year I was looking for, and I am obviously very pleased at dropping just one point in the entire three days.”

After a terrific year in 2008, Simpson is now eyeing success at the World Championships in Korea in September.

“That's my big incentive for this year, and winning in Las Vegas has given me a great boost as I prepare for the outdoor season,” she said.

Simpson was one of four British archers taking part in Las Vegas. Nicky Hunt finished 12th and Lucy Holderness 30th, but after an impressive first day, when she scored 295 out of 300, Rikki Bingham had to withdraw.