30. September 2006  
Lilleshall / Great Britain  
Artistic Gymnastics

Friendly Meet: Great Britain vs Switzerland

Great Britain - Switzerland

The Great Britain women's artistic gymnastics team continued to impress with a confidence boosting International victory over an ever-improving Switzerland Team at Lilleshall NSC.
The British Team finished with a grand total of 226.100 compared to the Swiss Teams 212.200 points.
Britain’s top gymnasts Beth Tweddle (City of Liverpool GC) did her preparations for the World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark (14-21 Nov) no harm with a wining display, scoring 59.950 points. ...
Great Britain vs. Switzerland
- Lilleshall, GBR, 2006, September 30 -

All looks good for the Worlds!
- y Tim Peake & Vera Atkinson (Baga)

Following closely behind Beth came Lynette Lisle (Barry YMCA GC) with a score of 56.400 points. Swiss Gymnast Ariella Kaeslin came an impressive third overall with 55.350 points.
Performance and Technical Director, Matthew Greenwood said: “Despite several injuries the team did well and we have 8 gymnasts well capable of making the cut for the final World Championship Team decided on Monday. Based on today’s results I'm sure that the British Team will have an excellent chance of remaining in the top 12 in Denmark.”
The Swiss Team showed signs of real promise, indicating that there ranking of 20 at the last World Championships in Anaheim has been dramatically improved on, despite this they are clearly still looking to improve further, Eric Demay, Head Coach of Switzerland, said:
“I am disappointed! Our team performs good gymnastics but is obviously not tough enough to endure the psychological pressure, which comes along with the International competitions. Nine falls off the Beam only that was too much two weeks before the World Championships. We have obviously a lot to improve in the remaining two weeks…” With Britain and Switzerland pitted together in the same group in Aarhus, it will be very interesting to see how the Swiss team react to there coaches suggestions.

Vanessa HOBBS, today in Lilleshall...

Amongst the many spectators at Lilleshall was Vanessa Hobbs , 2004 Olympian and member of the GBR Team at the previous World Championships in Anaheim (USA) in 2003.
Hobbs said: “The last time I saw this gym was just before we left for the Olympic Games Athens and the whole atmosphere brings to me deep emotions and moving memories. I was very impressed by our Team and wish them every luck at the approaching World Championships in Aarhus (DEN). Three years ago, in Anaheim we have managed to present 20 out of 20 faultless routines and took the 9th place. I hope these gymnasts will keep this top position.
The guests from Switzerland looked really good at the worming-up but during the competition had a few falls off the apparatus. However, they look a much improved, fit and neat Team. “As for my personal life, I have finished the College this year and will soon start working in a Bank. I also coach pre-school to 13 years old children in Portsmouth and really enjoy it.”
>> Detailed Results: GBR vs SUI