BUSA Regionals 2005
An early start for half of us was followed by eight hours of fun, frolics and falls at Guildford, Surrey.
First up was Louisa in Novice women, her first competition, who with two good routines narrowly missed qualifying coming in 13th out of a very large field of 135.
In the intermediate women's category were Ali and Charlotte. They both repeated Louisa's respectable set of 23.1 and Charlotte got 23.1 for her vol (ex tariff). Only an unfortunate last move (onto the end-deck) prevented Ali from getting the same score as Charlotte – set, vol (and match). Charlotte came 25th and Ali, 45th out of 80 odd.
Alex was next up and jovially got, you guessed it, 23.1 for his set. With his vol, this netted him 9th (incidentally his bouncing order, oooh spooky) and saw our first qualification for York. Hurrah.
Advanced women was as competitive a catergory as ever, and contained such luminaries as Kirsten, Katherine and Kate. Katherine and Kirsten (or Kirten as BUSA called her) very commendably came 20th and 28th after Kirsten did an Ali in her set. We were all very disappointed that Kate only managed 1st place. I'm sure she was trying her best but next time we will all be expecting her to do better (straight 9s and winning by 1.1 just doesn't impress anyone).
Lastly came James, Lee and myself – advanced men, trampolining category that is. We are all an advanced species and I do not wish to imply that James, Lee and myself are any more advanced than you lot, though of course we are! This proved to be a highly competitive category where only the top ten (of eleven) qualified. At this point I would like to claim temporary insanity, as getting bored with the set after only two moves, I tried variations on a theme. Thus were my hopes of Yorkdom dashed against the harsh BUSA rules and my dreams faded like a blue balloon floating away into a clear azure sky. Fortunately at the last moment (note the sudden switch to calming melancholy imagery and back to a fast-paced dynamic style, neat hey?) a trampolininst from Bristol fluffed up on the second move of his vol and I was through. James felt the need for no such shenanigans and even straightened his legs for the special occasion (previously rumoured to be impossible). Though his entertaining vol produced audible gasps from the judges, he qualified 8th. Lee managed to better us both and secured his ticket to York with 5th place.
Certificates were awarded by Kirsten Lawton of Athens fame. Alex swooned after receiving a kiss, but fortunately recovered enough to whoop loudly as Kate collected her free BUSA pen (and certificate).
So, hi ho, hi ho, its off to York we go (though some of us only just!).
On Sunday 13th Feb, Louisa Harvey, Charlotte Pocock, Alison Ventress, Kirten Allen, Katherine Shaw, Kate Gladders, Rob McNeil, James Barnard and Lee Meakin went to the Southern Region BUSA qualifiers in Surrey.
Alex, Kate, Rob, James and Lee qualified for York Finals on Sunday 13th March 2005.
Rob McNeil
