Top world champions battled for medals, in what was considered the most fierce competition this year. Europe is the hot spot for vaulting, where championships are often sold out and Braunschweig brought for an electrifying atmosphere. A total of 7 nations France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany and the USA sent their most talented hopefuls, as well as their top leading vaulters.
In the Men’s division Nicolas Andreani of France scored a 8.829 with Germany’s Thomas Brusewitz and France’s Ivan Nousse earning second and third place with scores of 8.792 and 8.591. In the Women’s division Italy’s Anna Cavallaro won Gold with a score of 8.972, Switzerland’s Simone Jaiser scoring 8.668 earned second place and Germany’s Jennifer Braun placed third with a score of 8.477.
Gabe Aniello represented the United States for the first time. He was lunged by Elke Schlep-Lensing on Pino del Rio. In the first round he scored 7.526, in the second round he improved his score to a 7.747 with a total of 7.636.
To learn more about the vaulting on a national level, visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/allvaulting.aspx
For all vaulting at FEI events visit: http://www.fei.org/disciplines/vaulting
German Champion Vaulters Perform for the Sheiks
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After reaching out to her team, coach Jessica Schmitz told her junior and senior teammates they will be traveling to Doha/Qatar to prepare for the upcoming European championships in August in Ebreichsdorf - Austria. Not only will they be traveling to the Gulf, they are also scheduled to perform in front of the Sheiks and to represent the world-wide vaulting community.
Included in the team of seniors and juniors are world champion vaulters Simone Lang-Wiegele (World Cup Bronze – 2010), Antjie Hill (World Championships Silver – 2010) and Elisabeth Simon (Team European Champion 2011).
A week-long training camp was set up that will lead to three show performances. The show will include a specially created concept and music selection.
One of the biggest challenges the group has to endure was to respect the cultural custom of Saudi Arabia where vaulting unitards had to be adjusted to cover legs and shoulders. For this, the bright pink suits of the previous season were ditched to add some fabric to their opera jerseys of the EM 2011.
Jessica is grateful that this country finally has given vaulting a chance and is sensitive to the fact that the viewers have to get used to the art of vaulting with its pride and glory. The goal is to leave a lasting impression in the end.
Jessica: "It was a great honor to be considered to present vaulting for the country and the vaulting club Rhein-Kreis Neuss.
Everyone is looking forward to being able to experience the world class facility that includes many world class arenas with amazing footing, air-conditioned indoor arenas and even a swimming pool for horses.
Jessica Schmitz: "We are looking forward to delivering a full show of vaulting moves and hoping, that in the end, the audience will go crazy in the stands."