2010 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships Rodez, France

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1 2010 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships Rodez, France The 2010 Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships and World Age Group Competitions were held at Rodez, France in June this year. The Great Britain Aerobic Gymnastics team had worked extremely hard in preparation for these Championships and the coaches were feeling that the team were at maximum readiness for the challenge. On Saturday 12 th June the gymnasts, coaches and officials arrived at the Hotel la Bowling at Rodez and settled in after the two hour flight followed by a two and half hours coach journey. The following morning, Sunday 13 th June, the whole team were up early for podium training alongside the gymnasts from Iran. Everyone was amazed by the magnificent arena and staging and the atmosphere was fantastic from the start. The G.B. gymnasts completed a very strong training session actually receiving applause from gymnasts from other countries whilst rehearsing their routines. This seemed to set the friendly atmosphere that existed throughout the whole competition. The Monday was the last training day for the Junior (Group 1 and Group 2) gymnasts whose competition was starting the following day. The Senior's competition was not starting until Friday giving them much more preparation time and the opportunity to be there to support the Junior team throughout. The Seniors trained on this occasion alongside the Hungarian team. Tuesday seemed to arrive very quickly with the Junior qualifications for the Group 2 IM and IW and Group 1 IW, MP and Group Categories. First up was Sebastian De Vertueil (Group 2). The run-up to the competition had not been great for Seb having injured his right wrist and it was touch and go with regular trips to the physiotherapist as to whether it would be healed in time; as it was, he still had to wear a wrist support bandage for the competition. Additionally he is also taking his GCSEs, and in fact had to cancel one (a French paper ironically) as it fell slap bang in the middle of the week. We had to apply to the examining board to enable him to do this, and they will give him an average score for that paper, based on his previous module scores - which fortunately have been good. Even with all these additional pressures Seb managed to produce a fabulous routine scoring but, being positioned early in the draw it was hard for us to become too excited with that result as we had no idea what the other nations had in store. We could only sit and watch patiently hoping Seb had done enough to secure a place in the finals. Sebastian had in fact secured 3rd position scoring only 0.2 from 1 st place. In fact the top 8 males had only 0.5 separating them. We were all so pleased that Seb had qualified for the finals especially as last November at the European Championships he finished in 7 th place making this an absolutely fantastic achievement. Seb and I both felt he could perhaps improve the execution of his routine in certain places. Next to compete and first of the girls was Bethany Waddington (Group 2); this was Beth's first World Championships. Beth performed her individual routine giving everything she had and enjoying every second up on the stage, showing great character and confidence. She scored Next was Chloe Farrance with her individual performance. Chloe was amazing, producing an extremely dynamic routine with fantastic transitions showing the full range of her flexibility. Having been forced to withdraw from last years European Championships through injury, she felt she had something to prove and show the World. And she did exactly that scoring and finishing in 12 th place only 0.2 away from qualifying for the finals. This is the highest placing GB have ever had at a World Championships in Age Group 2. Congratulations to Chloe! The Group 1 IW category started with Rebekah Galpin as the first GB competitor. Although this was her first World Championships she showed hardly any sign of nervousness but only exuded excitement and belief in herself. Rebekah was very early on in the draw of over 50 gymnasts so she knew she had to give so much that the judges would not forget her. Her routine was superb, the best I have ever seen her, scoring finishing in 16 th place. Rebekah shows great potential for the future. Ella Augier also Groupl IW (ranked as GB No 1 gymnast in that category) was now ready to show off her interpretation of the Pussy Cat Dolls hit track

2 'Buttons'. Ella moves so quickly and dynamically with natural presentation and dance skills; the judges loved her placing her in 12 th position. This is also the highest placing a GB gymnast has ever attained at a World Championships in this category. Now we moved on to the Group 1 Groups category. For the six girls from Heathrow Aerobic Gymnastics Club - Molly Bevan, Helen Turner, Lauren King, Chloe Byne, Kay-Lynn Brant and Niamh Keane this was their first ever major international competition. They produced a lovely routine showing their unity within the group throughout the routine with a great piece of music and good artistic impression obtaining their highest score this season of The next Group 1 Group comprising Angharad Callaghan, Myfi Mountford, Emily Boyce, Stella Vinet. Darcy Tyler and Georgia Mackie from Bulmershe Gymnastics Club managed to score leaving them in 7 th place just missing out on the final, as only the first 6 places were to qualify. The girls obviously felt a little disappointed at being so close to a final, but were still very happy with their overall performance and routine and this was also their highest score of the season. That completed the first day of competition. demonstrates such a strong relationship and connection between them that it makes me feel all 'goose-bumps' when they perform it. The timing and dynamism of these two gymnasts is just incredible; they are both so determined to achieve and will continue to fight to the very end. They did exactly that on this occasion scoring for 3 rd place thereby securing a place in the final. Being 3 rd now meant they would compete in the penultimate position at the finals. Chloe and Seb were feeling so proud and emotional especially as I had set them both the target of getting to the finals before we arrived in Rodez. To have reached the target and to be going through to a potential medal position was just amazing. I knew that in the final they would give their everything to the routine and grab the opportunity and the moment. Rebakah Galpin. Sophie Goves and Laura Shuttleworth in their Group 1 Trio were next to perform. This was the first taste of an International Competition for Sophie and Laura. The girls produced a beautiful routine attaining their highest score this season of and 16th place which exceeded target. The girls enjoyed every second of being up on that stage and are now set on qualifying for the European Championships next year. Ella Augier, Emily Boyce and Stella Vinet were the next Group 1 Trio. I had set a high target for these girls having told them that with their best routine they were capable of and I expected them to qualify for the final in 8th place. They created a fantastic amount of energy throughout their routine with good use and interpretation of the music and scored to place them in the final in 6 th place. The girls and the team were ecstatic with the result. On the Wednesday (16 th June) the GB parents and supporters were up and into the venue quite early decorating their 'camp' with GB flags, posters, hats, T-shirts etc.; you name it they had it. The fathers had made up a chant for the GB team which the parents sang before every Great Britain gymnast took to the floor. After the good results of the previous day the feeling of excitement and confidence in the team was so high. The morning kicked off for GB with Chloe Farrance and Sebastian De Verteuil performing their Group 2 mixed pair routine. This was Chloe's and Seb's first ever International Competition as a pair having only been training together for 6 months. Their routine We could not believe how well the GB Team were doing. Three routines were now through to the finals at a World Championships. Yippee!!!!

3 Group 2 Trios qualifications were next. This consisted of Olivia Farrance, Hannah Owen and Robyn Irvine in their first year in this category. Moving up from Group 1 the girls had to contend with lots more difficulty elements, the increased speed of the choreography and an extra 15 seconds added to the length of their routine. They produced a nice tidy routine showing good potential for the future being placed in 17 th position with their highest score of the season of Last of the day was the Group 2 Group of Chloe Farrance, sister Olivia Farrance, Hannah Owen, Robyn Irvine, Bethany Waddington and Rosie Stevens. The girls performed a good clean routine showing great interaction and good lifts. Unfortunately 20 seconds from the end of the routine the zip at the back of Hannah Owen's leotard came apart earning a penalty deduction of 0.2. Hannah managed to ignore the problem and continue with full performance to the end. Well done girls 12 th place with a score of First to warm up were Sebastian De Verteuil and Chloe Farrance for their Group 2 Pair routine. They had a fantastic draw at second from last; so from whatever they scored it was going to be clear where they would be ranked as only one routine would be left to perform after them Chloe and Seb actually did not have the best of warm ups, everything seemed to be going wrong. I think the pressure was building and I kept reminding them to ignore the preparation problems now, they were ready to compete and to just go out there and go for it. Waiting side of stage was pretty tense as we saw the French pair had scored so we knew it was going to be tough. Thankfully Chloe and Sebastian are the type of gymnasts that like to be challenged so in fact it worked in our favour - it made them even more determined than ever. They performed the routine of their lives - synchronisation and execution were absolutely spot on and the energy the pair created was more than electric. Everyone could feel their passion. Greeting the pair off the stage was the best feeling ever for me, I felt they had done their absolute best and I would not have had them change a thing. The last two days must be the most successful major event ever for Great Britain Aerobic Gymnastics. The team spirit was so very high and everyone was buzzing.. The team were singing the GB chants the whole way back to the hotel. But it was important to settle them down ready for the finals the next morning. The morning of finals and GB were competing! A situation that the neither the gymnasts nor I had experienced before. GB had never previously made a final at an Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships. I felt we had already reached well beyond our expectations and I told the gymnasts to just try and enjoy the whole experience. Throughout the warm up I kept reminding them to not be nervous and just love every moment; they have nothing to loose, only to gain and just go out there and revel in the moment. To be honest I was feeling quite emotional. I had such a proud and warm feeling in my heart. I was going to make sure I enjoyed the experience too. All three of us were hugging for ages and were so happy but waiting for the score was awful, it felt like forever. In my heart I thought it would probably be enough for a medal position but as I had not seen the other nations' routines I did not share my thoughts with them; instead I told them it does not matter where they were placed now as far as I was concerned I was just so proud of them. The score came up ranked 2 "d place. Wow! Wow! Wow! We could not believe it. Sebastian and I were jumping around shouting 'Yes!' and hugging. Chloe was there with her head in her hands crying with happiness. It was best feeling in the world! With only the Russian pair left to go we knew we would be bringing home at least a Bronze Medal. When the Russians score came in and Chloe and Seb had maintained the Silver podium position the arena

4 seemed to erupt. The GB gymnasts and supporters were all crying and singing at the top of their voices. Seb and Chloe were soon hurried off to prepare for the medal presentation. Watching the Union Jack being raised to the top of the Arena next to the French and Romanian flags was fantastic. It was only 15 minutes later that Sebastian was due to compete his Male Individual routine in that particular final. He was drawn second. He had hardly any time to change out of his pair's leotard having to dash down three flights of stairs to run through the choreography with music, a quick practice of his Flair combined in to the A Frame to Wenson, that is his most difficult move and that was it. routines, praying to stay in a medal position. Finally and after what seemed a lifetime the last score came in and Sebastian had got the Silver Medal! We all went absolutely crazy! Two silvers for Great Britain! I could not believe it! Absolutely amazing! Shortly after we stood and watched the Union Jack rise for the second time in an hour such a very proud and emotional moment! We were then side of stage with no time to think or even mention any last minute coaching tips. I could only hope Sebastian remembered the points we had decided to adjust in his routine after the qualification round. Sebastian produced his best routine ever. His movements were so very fluid but still showed terrific dynamism. His presentation was so natural and he looked like and he probably was enjoying every beat of the music. He had also remembered every little thing from the qualification round. Next up was the Ella Augier, Emily Boyce and Stella Vinet - Group 1 Trio. They had qualified in 6 th place and their target was obviously to try to maintain or improve this position. They had a good warm up and were feeling very excited and lucky to get a second chance to show the world their routine. They performed fantastically tidying up the little stumbles and improving their score from the qualification round. The girls also managed to move up a place to finish in 5th position. We were all so very, very happy. When he came off the stage he literally fell in to me saying "do you think I have done enough". I could only reply that I would not or could not ask him to try or do anything different, he was amazing. Everyone was feeling very nervous waiting for his score. Then popped up on the screen; Oh my God! We could not believe it. Seb had increased his score by 0.6 from the qualification round! We then had to sit and watch France, Japan, Italy, Romania, Russia and China. Maxime from France was very strong and scored which moved Seb down to 2nd place; we just sat there holding hands through all the remaining The Great Britain Juniors have had an incredible World Championships, the best ever. We have been working so hard over the last 5 years to try and achieve these results and finally I feel Great Britain is making its mark on the Aerobic Gymnastics world stage. These fabulous results had instilled more fervour into our Senior gymnasts who were now all fired up ready

5 for their competition starting on the Friday. The Juniors were able to celebrate their achievements back at the hotel with a few games of bowling and a disco on the bowling lanes before having to fly home the next day leaving the Seniors behind. Chrystal Hayselden, Laila Ladak and Eliie Spooner with their Senior Trio routine were first. This was Laila's first major International as both Chrystal and Ellie have had previous international experiences including past European and World Championships. The girls completed a good warm up and were enjoying the atmosphere of the stadium going on to produce a nice clean routine with no major errors. They were very pleased finishing in 17 th place with a score of Ellie was next to go on with her individual routine. This is her first year as a Senior gymnast and she was so happy to have qualified for the World Championships. Ellie scored just short of our personal target of However we were very pleased with her performance especially as this was her first experience as a Senior. I had set Chrystal Hayselden some very high targets which I knew she could achieve with her best routine the aim was to make it into the top 15 in the world. Chrystal was to compete her full difficulty routine which meant she was performing with a few concerns and worries but she knew she had to go all out to contend with the best. Chrystal scored all her difficulty - her highest this year and with a final score of and 17 th place she virtually made the target. There were a few execution errors and with her best routine I am confident she would have achieved or even exceeded the target. I am so very happy with all the results of the World Championships. For Great Britain I now know we are on the right track and producing great athletes. Thank you so much to everyone that has supported the team and all the officials that manned (womanned?) the trip we could not do this without you all. Well done AEROBIC GYMNASTICS TEAM GREAT BRITAIN!!! Kerry Scotts Head Coach