Arabian gymnasts combined a weekend in Blackpool seeing the attractions of lights and the tallest roller-coaster ride in Europe....all great fun on a rare Sunny blue skied seafront! Some gymnasts even went on the Donkeys for a ride on the beach.
Sunday Morning bright and early saw Faye Treadwell, Sophie Clarke, Casey Hodges competing from squad 2 and also the youngest gymnast aged just 8 Lara Moffat from Junior squad compete first for the club in the National Autumn Invitation, hosted brilliantly by Fiona and her club Flic Flac Gymnastic club.
Faye performed her floor better than ever before and had a solid bar routine, overall a good day. Casey was strong on Bars, floor and Vault a few wobbles on beam likewise Sophie Clarke who also found the beam similar to that of the Pepsi max ride. But again she did well too, with a lovely floor routine matching Casey and Faye. Lara aged just 8 years old came in the top 4 in the competition and really put up a brave performance against some very strong and seasoned opponents, we were really pleased with Lara and all the girls in the morning as they all grabbed medals.
Just after midday the club then had another wave of gymnasts in the event from junior squad and also most of the top squad girls. Good performances from all the girls made it an enjoyable weekend with some new moves put out on floor by Ellie Hewitt and Tionne Cumberbatch both performing a one a half full twist opening tumble pass.
Sophie Fretwell over rotated her step out but brilliantly recovered to continue her floor with style and elegance, Poppy Gibbs showed she has returned to full fitness with a most excellent routine.
Bex Whatmore performed her floor routine for the very last time, as she has a new one in progress. Her routines were as you would expect from a regional champion and the eldest competing gymnast aged 18. Her beam was watered down a bit but she still managed to get the whole audience to draw breath at the same time as she missed her change leg leap on beam....in warm up
Lousia Cuthbert floor was sharp and precise and showing artistic flare more and more. Millie Barnes put out a full twist as did Katie Wood as the two youngsters show improvement in their tumble passes. Both girls also showed great depth of control as they had powerful beam routines, not falling and showing their ability to be calm. Molly Harris also had a good day picking up medal’s and had a stunning floor routine as well. Tamzin Hill looked great on floor as she showed off her ability to tumble so well this after a fall in warm up, a hard but productive day for Tamzin who is improving every day.
Youngest gymnasts in this round was 8 year old Phoebe Copestake who really had the hardest job being up against some of her slightly older and advanced squad girsl. But she was having no issues about this and stuck bother h back tumbles on beam including a round off tuck back for the first ever time. Great day for Phoebe.
Not so great was the luckless Becky Matcham who aggravated an on- goi
ng niggle in her ankle as she started her first piece of equipment and this got worse as the event went on. Alan got her to stop half way through her floor routine as the injury was clearly hampering her and sadly she was unable to complete the event. Nevertheless the gymnast who was 0.2 from being eth Regional Champion tried her level best to perform. A period of rest is now listed for her so she can get fighting fit for the New year.
Fantastic support and dedication from Kirsty, Annie and Glenn who drove up at 5-30am with Donna to be there for the gymnasts...Alan was already at the venue as he travelled up on the Saturday to take in Blackpool with Poppy, Louisa, Lucy, Ellie, Tionne and Becky.
Many thanks to Fiona and Flic flac Gym Club for their great hospitality on the day and leading up to the event. Thanks to the parents who also cared for other gymnasts over the weekend..all in all made a for a really nice weekend away.
