The European trials have just taken place and photos from the event seem to confirm that some of the top WAG gymnasts in the UK, such as Claudia Fragapane, Amy Tinkler and Ellie Downie did not participate in the selection process. Fragapane, who tore her Achilles back in March, is not expected to return to competition until next year, but hopes were high that Tinkler and Downie would make it back before Europeans. Tinkler suffered an injury to her ankle ligaments during warm up at the Birmingham World Cup, while Downie has been struggling with an ankle injury for well over a year now and has undergone two operations, which also caused her to miss last year’s Worlds.
The good news is that Ellie’s sister Becky is back in consideration for the team, following eighteen months out with an elbow injury sustained at Euros 2017 in Romania. Alice Kinsella, who has stepped up and proved herself over the last year as a reliable, capable and consistent team member in a number of national and international competitions, was also present. Kelly Simm was also there, following her success earlier this year at Commonwealths and the British Championships, as were her Commonwealths teammates Taeja James and Lucy Stanhope. Maisie Methuen, the British beam champion, was being considered for selection, following her recent success at the Guimarães World Cup, as was her Welsh teammate Emily Thomas. Georgia-Mae Fenton will also be a very strong contender, given both her excellent performance at trials and her recent Commonwealths gold on uneven bars and ninth place finish on bars at Worlds 2017 amidst a strong field. Watch this space!
The European Gymnastics Blog 