Archer on target for Olympic team

ARCHER Ryan Tyack is one step closer to his Olympic dream after coming second at the Australian Archery Titles in Canberra.

The 20-year-old Mapleton resident shot well to be named the competition's best all-rounder after overcoming some technical difficulties earlier in the week.

"I did well considering the pressure and the weather but I had some technical difficulties with my equipment," he said.

"My bow was playing up so I couldn't hold as steady as I would have liked which meant my execution wasn't as good as it should be."

Tyack shot superbly to beat the entire 2010 Commonwealth Games team putting him in good stead ahead of the Olympics.

"I came second in the target and managed to beat three of the 2010 Commonwealth Games team.

"To do that gives me a lot of confidence heading into the next round of competitions."

With a strong performance in Canberra, Tyack said he could relax knowing his place in the Australian team was assured.

"I've made the national side now which was the first goal so it's all going well," he said.

The Olympic selection process is gruelling and competitors are chosen based on the overall results from the World Cup's in Shanghai and Auckland.

Tyack won't find out if he's made the team until a month out from the Olympics.

"I find out if I've made the team about four weeks before the games," he said.

"We've got a very strong team so we're a good chance to get the team spot for London."

Asked how he keeps his cool for extended periods, Tyack said everyone had their own techniques with his best shooting coming in those pressure moments.

"It (pressure) varies person to person and a lot of it comes down to who you are," he said.