Bouncers show their prowess
A huge entry of over 70 young competitors took part in the Shetland Trampoline Championships on Saturday afternoon at Clickimin.
Clubs represented were Yell Flying Squad, Whalsay, South Mainland and hosts Clickimin. Each competitor had to perform two compulsory routines in front of hundreds of spectators. This proved to be a rather daunting prospect, especially for some of the younger gymnasts.
The first group to bounce were the preliminary gymnasts – younger beginners who were not competing but just showing spectators what they had achieved in training. They all did very well and were awarded certificates afterwards.
In grade 6 (seven and eight years) Jane Keddie came out on top with a score of 7.93 marks from the three judges. Second was Katie Bain scoring 7.83 with Niamh Wylie third with 7.70.
In the nine to 10 years at grade 6 the final result was very close with Rachel Keay winning by four hundredths of a point with 7.97 over Anna Sutherland who achieved 7.93. The bronze medal went to Amie Beswick with the same score but Amie had failed to complete her first routine, making up for this in the second round.
The grade 6 (11 years and over) was another extremely close result with Ruby Price winning gold with 8.07 marks. Close behind was Vaila Henderson with 8.03 while in third place was Rhona Tait with 7.90.
In the grade 5 competition a fantastic performance from Ashleigh Nisbet won gold in the eight to 10 years age group with a score of 8.23. Kirsty Johnson was runner up with 8.17 and the bronze went to Laura Polson, very close behind with 8.13.
In the grade 5 (11 years) age group Holly King took the gold medal with second place going to Kirsti Grant with 7.87 and Krissi Sandison was not far behind in third with 7.77.
The grade 5 (12 years and over) competition was a very high scoring event dominated by the boys. Rory Irvine came out on top with an impressive 8.83 while the silver went to Bradley Wood with 8.50 and Keiran Jamieson was third with 8.37.
Finally, after a long wait it was the turn of the elite performers in grade 4, an open age group which proved to be another very high scoring competition. The gold medal was won by Katie Farnworth with a score of 8.73, closely followed by Jade Stevenson with 8.60 and Mairi Polson with 8.53.
The three overall winners with the highest overall scores were Ruby Price in grade 6, Rory Irvine in grade 5 and Katie Farnworth in grade 4.
The organisers said they would like to thank all the officials who helped make the event such a great success. The 2010 championships are scheduled to take place in the Yell Leisure Centre.
