Grade 1 Finals July 2^nd and 3^rd 2005

We set off for Birmingham on Friday lunchtime, arriving at about 4.30. The hotel was nice and I shared a room with Katie and Kris. We soon settled in and got ready for the training session at the NIA. I was really nervous when I walked over the bridge and saw the arena!!! It was massive! The area was really hard to bounce in because I found it hard to judge my height, but any way I got on with it!! After getting a feel for the beds we went out for a Chinese, which I am starting to like now!! And then it was back to bed.

Me and Katie woke up refreshed and ready to go. After breakfast we had a long stroll/ warm up!! Down to the arena. I was bouncing 1^st out of the second group of the under 18 girls. Unfortunately my set wasn’t really up to standard, mainly down to nerves, but in my vol I just gave it all I had and achieved the 6^th best vol score out of my age group. So I finished in 12^th place, which I was pleased with, although I know I could of performed better!!

That night we went out again to a Chinese/ steak house thingy, which was nice as well, then went back and had a bit of a drink.

Overall I really enjoyed my self a gained a lot of experiences, and prepared my self for next year!

Well done to every on that competed, especially, Katie and Jazz ( first g1 nationals) Gemma for getting into the final, and Kat and Gary for finishing top 3 in the men’s and the ladies!!

I would like to say a big thank you to Pam, Dawn and Harry for extra support. Katie and Kris for taking me and letting me share a room with them. Kat and Gary.s for calming me down and helping me when I couldn’t do my vol!! Thanks to Emma, Mike, Bill and the rest of Apollo for just a great time, helping me, and treating me like part of there team. And most of all to Gary, because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t of been able to do it!!!

Thanks again and till next year!!!

 xxxxx Gail xxxxx