A PLACE in the GB team for next year’s World Archery Championships, in Turkey, is not out of the question for Nicky Hunt.

However, with the Rio Olympics in four years time a realistic target, the Kesgrave archer stressed she will not panic if she does not make the cut.

The Deben Archery Club member narrowly missed out on a place for the Team GB recurve team at the London 2012 Games but, with time on her side, she is more determined than ever to be boarding the plane to South America in four years time.

With that in mind, Hunt is prepared to take as long as possible to hone her talent, even if it means missing out on next year’s showpiece in Antalya.

Having just returned from a month’s break, Hunt spent three days at Team GB’s national centre in Lilleshall last week and will continue commuting back and forth from Suffolk in a similar schedule in the coming months.

“I had a lovely month off and I was so pleased I did as sometimes you have to take a break mentally and think about something other than archery,” said Hunt.

“I have started coaching at Lilleshall again and I will be spending three days a week there.

“It has to be done and in the first three sessions I didn’t shoot an arrow. I did about 600 repetitions, drawing back my arm and working on my poundage and engraining my technique.

“I enjoy competition but I have been competing almost non-stop for two years so you can’t do it forever and this feels like the right thing to do.

“Next year is the World Championships in March and if everything is going well then I will look to make the team.

“But on the other hand, this is year one of four (ahead of Rio 2016) and there is no need to rush things. It all depends on my technique.

Hunt has not lost her appetite for the sport, far from it, and her experience at London 2012 has prompted her to chase her own Olympic dream.

While she was not actively involved on the hallowed Lord’s turf during the summer, the archer did take up Team GB’s invitataion to attend the competition as a guest, giving her the chance to sample the Olympic experience.

“I had such a unique opportunity and it was part of my learning curve,” said Hunt, who is more determined than ever to reach the top in her sport.

“I did not make the team but I am still here and I am still smiling. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“You can only do your best and I did everything I could to make the Olympics.

“I put my job on hold but I have no regrets and it is easy to move forward,” added Hunt, who hinted performing well at the 2015 World Championships could have more of bearing on her final selection.

“The 2015 World Championships in Denmark will be important as they are usually the first competition to win Olympic quota places.”