Talia's very first competition-and they win!

Seems there are always 10 things on the same weekend and nothing for the next month. Sunday was like that. Talia was picked to be in her first gymnastics competition in Sélestat, there was the annual Carnivale parade in Strasbourg and it was Purim. They were supposed to do a Purim play but couldn't. It was a tad frustrating but we had to decide. We played with the idea of splitting up but since it was her very first competition, I didn't have the heart to do that and the other two wanted to see her.

This is the front of the program. It was a huge, all-day competition for all of Alsace.

They did really well. There was only one drop, and only a slight one. Luckily, it wasn't Talia!

The starting position;

These are my photos;

About to do a toss;

Another toss;

Ending position. The first is my picture, taken from the stands and the next is the professional one. Talia is the last one sticking her clubs out to the left.

We then watched the next few performances. There were about 5 groups in their category and by the time we saw them all, we were pretty confident that our girls had won. The group who beat them last time had a lot of drops and ended up not even placing this time.

I tried to get a photo of Talia close up but she screamed and ran away each time. Davina managed to make her point in one attempt...

A few parents tried to get an impromptu group shot from the bleachers. Top row; Oceane, Amalie, Talia and bottom row; Cyrille, Tomaris and Sophie. This time Tomaris and Talia performed while Sophie and Oceane were alternates.

It was ages before the awards ceremony. Talia went on at 2:30 and the awards were handed out at 5:30. Since Sélestat is only 18km from Benfeld, Daniel took Ronnie there to see his grandmother. Davina refused, even with a promise of ice cream but she did manage to behave for all that time. I actually enjoyed watching it, especially after the break when the higher-category competed.

Finally, they all lined on and sat down for the announcements.

Professional picture of the "Palmares" or awards ceremony (ex-Drum Corps person trying hard not to say "retreat")

Up on the podium, holding the trophy.

Getting a hug from Laurance, their coach.

The professional photographer was closer.

Milling around after the ceremony, passing around their trophy.

Posing with their metals and trophy.

This is the professional picture, which appeared on the Strasbourg GRS website;

Talia at home a few weeks later in her costume with the trophy. We happened to have them both at the same time!