Sport / Gymnasts enjoy Orkney test event ahead of Island Games
SIX GYMNASTS from Shetland travelled to Orkney last week to help Orkney Gymnastics Club hold a test event ahead of this summer’s Island Games.
Clubs from Dumfries, Fyrish, Auchterader and the Scottish vault champion from Hamilton Gymnastics Club competed alongside Shetland and two Orkney teams.
On the first day, where every gymnast competed set skills, Kali Mackenzie Thomson placed joint sixth on vault alongside Julia Strachanowska.
Lori Nicolson placed eighth, Isla Willmore ninth, Merin Smith 12th and Oliwia Strachanowska 14th.
On bars Julia finished in 11th, Kali 12th, Merin 13th and Isla 16th.
Beam saw Merin compete her backflip on beam for the first time in competition, resulting in a 10th place finish. Kali was 11th, Isla 18th and Lori 19th.
The gymnasts then showcased their new floor routines, having travelled the week before to Aberdeen in order to practice them on a spring floor for the first time.
Kali finished in eighth, Julia in 11th, Merin 15th, Lori 20th and Oliwia 22nd.
On the second day skills could be changed and upgraded. The gymnasts had the chance to watch Katie Coull from Hamilton perform double somersaults on floor and somersaults off the vault – the vault she competed at the Scottish Championships.
Shetland’s gymnasts placed sixth on vault for Kali and 13th for Julia. On bars, Julia finished in eighth place and Merin 12th.
Floor saw Kali finishing seventh, Oliwia 11th, Merin 12th and Lori 16th. Lastly beam results showed Merin in 10th and Lori 13th.
Overall it was a fun, friendly few days and a great opportunity for the gymnasts to try out the equipment that will be used in Orkney for the Island Games this July.
The gymnasts are hoping to get another training trip in before the games but finding availability to travel is hindering their progress.
The club is hoping to purchase a building in the very near future which will eliminate the expensive travel required to train at this level, and the club is holding a fundraising fun day at Clickimin on Saturday between 1-4pm for everyone to come and enjoy.
The club would like to thank NorthLink for their continued sponsorship as well as Ability Shetland, Young Islanders Network and Shetland Sport and Leisure for their financial assistance with travel costs.
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