Our senior elite gymnasts returned to these shores after spending the last week competing in Ukraine at the 'Stars Above The Boug River' event in Vinnitsa.
Despite an absolutely horrendous journey caused by the Lufhansa strike which saw the 20 strong team stranded in both Munich and Donestka in South East Ukraine, the team arrived finally on Wednesday lunchtime after leaving Heathrow on Monday morning and enduring first a 13 hour and then 4 hour coach transfers.
The travelling parents arrived just 2 hours later having left Heathrow early Wednesday morning.
What effect all the travelling would have was a big talking point but the gymnasts didn't disappoint and went into this high quality event featuring many top Russian, Ukranian, Polish and other Eastern European gymnasts along some familiar faces at major events from Belgium, Portugal and Holland to name but a few. Despite the journey, this really was worth getting here for as it would be a great test for the forthcoming World Championships in Poland where many of these gymnasts will be seen again.
Our 11-16 WP of Megs and Georgia were first on the mat for us and despite a small error in a balance, still got a good score of 27.95. Abi and Amy quickly followed with a 27.85 which was amended later to 28.35 after the height deduction they received for both balance and tempo was removed having been given to the wrong pair by mistake.
Alanna and Sophie quickly followed in the Junior WP's and got in a good, solid performance to go into 2nd place. Chris and Kim did likewise in the Junior Mixed pair to give us a great first morning.
The Senior competition was even higher quality but Nick and Katie, Doug and Ed and Jenny, Emma and Katie all got in good first routines to be right up there in their respective sections. The Mens Four of Adam, Adam, Alex and Johnny finished the first day in the lead despite good competition from Russia and Ukraine after delivering one of the best routines of the first day.
The 2nd day was much like the first in terms of performance and scores. Megs and Georgia nailed their tempo with a score over 28 to jump up the leader board into 2nd behind Abi and Amy who gave another good performance and took a 2 point lead into the final day.
In the Juniors, Alanna and Sophie seemed to suffer from nerves or a touch of tiredness as they couldn't deliver the top quality we have seen before and slipped back to 3rd place. Chris and Kim stayed toe to toe with the Ukranians at the head of the board and finished day 2 a close 2nd with the Russians breathing down their neck in 3rd.
In the Seniors, all gave better performances and received decent scores to give themselves a chance of a medal going into the combined round.
Off the mat, the travelling parents were enjoying the hospitality of this developing country and a selection of images will be placed in the gallery section shortly (once our lawyers have approved them for publication!!!).
Finals day started on a high with Megs and Georgia doing the balance routine they didn't quite nail on day 1. This time they did and got an awesome score of 28.45 to secure 2nd place. Abi and Amy chose to do tempo again and got their best ever score of 28.85 after delivering a near flawless routine. However, it was only when the medal ceremonies were about to start that it became clear that the rule of only one nation can be presented on the podium was being used so alas Megs and Georgia didn't receive the recognition of finishing a clear 2nd - hard luck girls those of us who saw you know you easily deserved it.
This rule was to benefit us later especially in the Seniors.
Alanna and Sophie returned to their old selves in their final and took the bronze which they shared with a Ukranian pair who miracualously made up enough points to share the bronze!!??!!
Chris and Kim were also up against a Ukrainian pair and couldn't quite close the gap despite an excellent combined routine. Silver medal in their very first event together was still a good result especially with the good quality on display.
In the Seniors, Nick and Kate were the first to benefit from the one nation ruling as they finished in 3rd behind 2 very strong Belgian pairs but were elevated to 2nd and brought home the silver.
Similarly, Doug and Ed were elevated to 3rd after finishing in 4th after receiving a mysterious 0.9 deduction in their combined routine.
The Senior trio finished with a great last routine scoring 28.55 but the quality in their section was such that they finished just out of the medals. A great effort though ladies.
Finally, a very high quality Mens Four event finished with our boys going 2nd last before the Russians who would be the final routine of the whole event. And what a way to finish! Our boys had EVERYONE in the hall watching them as they gave an absolutely World Class performance to score 29.4 and show THEY are the ones to beat in the Worlds. The Russians finished with a superb score also of 29.1 but couldn't close the gap our lads had had since day 1. A great finish to a great event.
It was a very long way to go and getting there wasn't the easiest however the gymnastics were fantastic and the hospitality of this developing former Eastern Bloc nation was second to none. Great memories and lots of valuable experienced gained (for both gymnasts and supporters alike).
The focus now changes to the British Championships in 3 weeks time where all of our senior gymnasts will be performing - many for the first time in their new partnerships.
There is a final run through that can be watched in the gym on Saturday 13th March starting at 9am promptly. If you're not making the journey up to Stoke-On-Trent the following week, you may just want to see some of the best gymnasts in the UK.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 1:36PM 