2011 World Championships to be Held at Holiday Valley Resort

Ellicottville, NY, August 3, 2011 . . . Holiday Valley Resort, in Ellicottville, New York, will again host the International Bowhunting Organization’s (IBO) 2011 World Championships from August 10 to 13. The event will attract more than 2,000 contestants and their families from more than 20 countries to compete for the world championships and $200,000 in cash and prizes.

IBO President Ken Watkins said Holiday Valley is an ideal site to host the World Championships, the biggest title in archery as “New York is one of the five states with the largest bowhunting numbers. Having the tournament at Holiday Valley allows more archers to attend the festival and gives them a chance to participate with archers from around the world in the most prestigious competition in 3-D Archery.”

The 2011 event marks the fourth consecutive World Championships at Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville. Twenty-four “ranges” are created throughout the woods and along the ski trails at Holiday Valley and over 400 3D targets are set in these ranges, approximately 20 targets per range. The life size targets represent native species like white tail deer, black bear and turkey and some very exotic species like mountain goats and buffalo. Teams of 4 or 5 shooters are assigned a set of 3 ranges each day where they fire from a designated spot at the targets. The closer their arrow comes to the “kill zone” of the target, the higher the score. The Championship Round is held on Saturday.

The course officials and Holiday Valley’s mountain staff make the course challenging for these sharp shooters by trying to confuse the archers as to how far the target is from the tee box. They do this by using undulating terrain features, high and low light characteristics in the woods and on the slopes as well as using the natural vegetation. The event also includes an archery trade show which opens at noon on August 10th.

Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville is a four-season resort destination legendary for outstanding events and festivals, great accommodations and a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Ellicottville is an exciting destination for families with lots to see and do for all ages. Located just sixty minutes south of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and near two interstate highways, there is easy access to this Western New York tourism region.

The IBO 2011 World Championships will attract over 8,000 people, including competitors, families, friends and avid bowhunters. The event is expected to create a $4.5 million economic impact for the region. Members of Holiday Valley Resort and the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce are all set to make this event the best ever.

“The beautiful hills and woods surrounding Holiday Valley are the perfect setting for this prestigious event”, said Dennis Eshbaugh, President and General Manager of Holiday Valley. “The Resort and the Village of Ellicottville can provide the lodging, entertainment, food and beverages, and all the extra touches that will again make our fourth IBO competition one to remember”.

“Ellicottville and its business owners have a unique way of embracing their guests and we make them feel that they are right at home here”, said Brian McFadden. “This is an event for everyone; it’s a chance for our visitors to see the best of the best in 3D archery competition”.

Holiday Valley will also host the Holiday Valley Bowhunters Open at the World Championships, an event that lets non-qualified shooters compete on the same courses as the world qualifiers. The open will be a two-day event during the World Championships. Contestants can download a registration at www.holidayvalley.com or www.ellicottvilleny.com . This event is open to everyone.