Pat Wade Classic 2014

Alix, Cassie & Olivia - balance

Silent Disco anyone?

The Pat Wade Classic (formerly known as the British Acro Tournament). We took 3 discerning little ladies and one of their mothers on a journey of enlightenment.

Silent, it was not... Disco themed - it was. It was like a stage fresh out of XFactor! Hats off to British Gymnastics (BG) for putting so much funding and effort into creating what was much more than any competition setting we've ever been to. There were twirling lights, smoke screens, you name it, they had it.

Friday was an amazing day for the trio of Alix, Cassie and Olivia (ACO).... Simply due to the fact they got to miss some school to do something they love! We arrived at Stoke in good time ready for Podium Training (the warm up training at the Venue the day before any competition).

Surprisingly to us, it was the most relaxed and chilled we'd ever felt at a competition - everyone was very friendly and very helpful. Very well organised with plenty of room for warm ups and tumbles and routine practice. We settled down afterwards in the hotel and got to bed nice and early (for once).

As 6:00am struck, on a cold Saturday morning, the alarm went off (at which point I'm sure Felicia was half way thru the girls' hair)... At which point I snoozed it thrice. It was game time.

The girls had their dynamic routine first which was due around 9:30. We then realised their balance routine had been pushed down to 6:30pm! Less than happy. The girls went out on stage... Literally on stage... To perform their dynamic routine. Wow. What a surprise. 11th out of 28 partnerships in the country after their first routine!!! We were all extremely happy and feeling wildly and justifiably optimistic. This meant we could possibly still qualify for finals (top 8 to go through).

As our balance routine was pushed back longer than a Roman road, we headed back to the hotel for snacks and snoozes. This turned into ferocious games of Monopoly Deal. Alix was particularly bad at this game. Please don't hold her accountable for any of your financial investments. The girls got some well deserved chill out time.

Then it was 4:30... So we upped and left, returning back to the competition venue ready for our balance routine. It is worth noting that the girls had only learnt this routine THREE WEEKS before the competition, which is a tall order for anyone! Still, despite not having as high a mark as their dynamic, they still improved on their last balance competitive score, finishing with a 12th place overall, which would have been 10th without a small technical deduction! So, really well and truly, ACO are amongst the top-10 11-16 trios in the country! And lest we not forget, UK is one of the most successful Acro countries IN THE WORLD!!!

Very well done to the girls. Round of applause!