Whatever happened go Charlotte Mackie?

admin — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:35:00 +0000

When Canadian gymnast Charlotte Mackie became an elite in 2004, she captured the attention of many fans with her artistic movements and adorable smile.

Throughout the years she proved to be one of Canada’s brightest stars, placing 5th All Around at the 2007 Pan American Games and 4th All Around at the 2008 Pacific Rim. Competing on vault in her last event at Elite Canada in 2012 Charlotte injured herself and has been out of action ever since. In a recent interview Charlotte talks about her recovery and her plans for the future.

Jason Burnett at the Olympic Test Event in London

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:22:50 +0000

As expected Jason Burnett locked up a berth for Canada in men’s trampoline at the pre-Olympic Test Event held January 13th at the O2 Arena in London. Still not 100 percent recovered from a nagging foot injury, Jason had no trouble placing in the top eight to secure the Olympic berth. In fact, he was fourth in the final, and tops among all competitors who hadn’t already earned their Olympic spot at the world championships in November.

When he wasn’t bouncing at the O2 Jason was busy shooting video at the venue and at other popular tourist spots in London. Here’s one of his videos from London now showing on his jazzy looking new web site at: jasonburnett.ca

A day in the life of Peng Peng Lee

admin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:21:16 +0000

Peng Peng Lee is Pan American silver medalist, a future UCLA Bruin and a member of the Canadian national team.

Although Peng Peng graduated in 2011, she’s deferring from college this year in hopes of making the Olympic team. This provides her with a bit of an unorthodox elite training schedule.

Boychuk already aiming at next year after 2011 world trampoline championships

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:51:49 +0000

After helping Canada win its first team gold medal in women’s double mini trampoline at the 2011 world championships last month in Birmingham, England, Corissa Boychuk is back in her home gym in Airdrie, Alta., setting new goals for the year ahead.

“I have the entire year, so I’m going to stay here, get better and work harder,” says Boychuk. “I want to (increase) my difficulty and expand my horizons a bit, and I’m going to focus on trampoline.”

Full story in the Rocky View Weekly

Gerber, Gardiner bolster Canada’s Olympic hopes

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:47:47 +0000

Two gymnasts helped put Cambridge, Ont., on the world map by giving Canada a stronger chance at fielding a full team at the London 2012 Olympics.

Mikaela Gerber, who trains at the Oakville Gymnastics club, and Madeline Gardiner, who trains at Cambridge’s new Dynamo Gymnastics club, were two members of the Canadian contingent who faced the top gymnasts in the world at the 2011 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo. Their performances helped earn Canada 11th spot in the team competition.

While the top eight countries automatically qualified a full team to the 2012 Olympics, teams ranked ninth to 16th will advance to a final qualification meet in January to determine the final four spots in the 12-country Olympic lineup.

Full story

Vaculik sisters chasing Olympic dream

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:45:30 +0000

There’s a lot riding on the world gymnastics championship that get under way in Tokyo Friday.

Perhaps nowhere more than right here in Durham Region, where Whitby’s Kristina Vaculik of Gemini Gymnastics will be looking to finally fulfil her Olympic dream.

It’s even more interesting than that, however, as a successful trip by the Canadian women’s artistic team might open the door for another Vaculik, Kristina’s younger sister Natalie, to the possibility of heading to London for the 2012 Olympics.

Full story

Emily Smith to go all out at 2011 worlds in England

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:49:33 +0000

When you fly through five time zones to compete for 16 seconds, there is little margin for error.

Even Emily Smith, Canada’s most successful tumbler, experienced a first at the World Cup in Germany in September.

With a small — albeit strong — field competing, there were no preliminaries, just two passes to take a shot at a medal.

“This was my first time going right to finals. The prelims are where I get the nerves out,” Smith said. “The finals, I’m always more relaxed.”

Full story

Injuries can’t derail Cockburn’s dream

admin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 08:21:48 +0000

Karen Cockburn missed a World Cup trampoline competition earlier in the month in Sazgitter, Germany due to injuries.
But the 31-year-old Stouffville resident and three-time Canadian Olympic medallist said those physical setbacks won’t prevent her from pursuing a fourth summer Olympic appearance in London, England next year.

Full story

Gardiner, Moors win national gymnastics titles

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:55:40 +0000

A hyperextended knee and three wipeouts through the preliminary round were no match for the comeback kid.

Despite those obstacles, Olympic hopeful and Galt Collegiate sophomore Madeline Gardiner put the finishing touches to her first senior national all-around gymnastics title this week in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Her good pal and clubmate Victoria Moors claimed the junior all-around championship, giving local juggernaut, the Cambridge Kips, a nifty double-play.

Gardiner was nonplussed after she rallied from a distant ninth-place performance in Tuesday’s preliminary round.

Read the full story in the Guelph Mercury

Jackson Payne’s plan right on track

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:43:21 +0000

Back in 2008, Jackson Payne already had his route to the 2012 Summer Olympics mapped out. He wanted to win a Canadian gymnastics championship in 2010 and a world title the year after that. Then, of course, there was a ticket to London, site of the quadrennial showcase, to be secured.

Turns out the Edmonton athlete is pretty much on track. Payne won the all-round title on the opening night of the senior men’s competition at the Canadian championships, which are currently being staged in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Read the full story in the Edmonton Journal