Day One Competition and scheduled training

Today was a long but all-told satisfying day.  The athletes had their official training times on the equipment at the gym.  Problems were found and then overcome.  When we first got to the gym, the training gym double-mini was not set up and there were no mats.  After some quick talking and stealing mats from a nearby tumbling floor, the training gym mini was set up in time for our athletes' training.  Another challenge was encountered as I had both teams in two different gyms.  With the athletes watching out for each other, and the kind assistance of Calgary Gymnastics Centre coach, Mary McPhalen, the athletes had great back gym training before coming out to the competitive space.  Eyes were a little wide at first, but they performed their routines and prepared for next day's competition along with several hundred other athletes in the gym at the same time.  It was hot, it was busy, and it was loud. 

Today was also Day One competition in the evening, and after a short rest by the poolside at the hotel, we headed back to the gym for Caitlin Brown's and Corissa's trampoline prelims.

Corissa was in the first flight and warmed up very well, and stepped onto the competition floor first up and prepared for her 30 second one-touch before competing.  There was some drama as I realized after Corissa had started bouncing that the judges were gesturing to each other and pointing at Corissa, and I asked her to stop.  She did, luckily, and we learned that there was no one-touch.  She needed to compete immediately.  Despite the potential distraction, Corissa did a great compulsory routine, which was then followed by a great first three skills of her optional, and then some unfortunate sideways travel on a double pike that put her on the side forcing her to stop.

Corissa's Preliminary Routine

Corissa's Optional Routine

Caitlin Brown was in the second flight which meant that she was warming up behind the curtain while Corissa was competing.  She prepared with great aplomb assisted by Caitlin, Alex and Janelle, who encouraged her and held mat in between running out and spotting Corissa while I was on the competition floor.  Caitlin performed one of the best compulsory starts of her life and a workable finish to the routine.  Caitlin's optional travelled a little bit, but stayed high and executed quite well, leaving her in the top 8 up until the very last competitors in the third flight nudged her out of finals.  A great debut as an open athlete!

Caitlin Brown's Preliminary Routine

Caitlin Brown's Optional Routine

Tomorrow will be an exciting day with every Airdrie athlete competing alongside the World Cup athletes from 14 countries.  Watch for the next post which will include all of their double-mini prelims.  But first in the morning, we will hit the beach.
Jamie