CSPC's Top 10 moments of 2011
Many of the athletes that come to our clinic have the WOW factor.
Here are some of the highlights of 2011 courtesy of their fantastic
feats.
1. Mark Townsend – 199th place in the epic 26th Marathon Des Sables!
This started on 31st March and took place over 6 days. It is a 151
mile endurance race taking place across the Sahara desert in Morocco.
Mark completed with a time of 38:58:53. Quite the achievement!If youlike Iron man challenges, why not give this a go! For information onthe 2012 marathon Des Sables follow the link http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php
2. Vicky Annis of CSPC completing the Etap du Dales in 9:05:11
A time she says she not impressed with, but we are. It was a toughday in May, with very poor weather conditions. 112 miles over some of Yorkshire finest hills! For info on 2012 Etap race click the link http://etapedudales.co.uk/
3. Charlene Thomas – Winning the 1500m at the European TeamChampionships in Sweden!
A special win for Charlene, against the favourite Anna Mischenko of the Ukraine. She produced a season’s best time of 04:06:85.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/13830885.stm – http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/13832105.stm To watch the ecstatic Charlene in her BBC interview after the race!
4. Claire O’Hara taking double gold at the World Kayaking Freestyle Championships.
Claire held her title in the womens’ squirt boat competition with an
amazing score of 946, a whole 336 points clear of the silver
medalist. she also stole the gold in the Kayaking event to become
double champion at the event in Germany, Plattling. CSPC had
sponsored Claire with physiotherapy from Fraser Mckinney and sportsmassage from Su Leeming in the run up to the event. They worked to give Claire a personal exercise program of stretches and exercises designed round her unique sport and regular sports massage to keep
her niggle free.
2012 will see Claire take on the world cup held in America in
September http://www.freestylekayaking2013.com/world-cup.html
5. The Hyde Park Triathlon Victory for Alistair Brownlee on the 2012 Olympic course.
This was the 5th race in the seven leg ITU World Championship tour and a very special win indeed. Not only did this push him up the table on the score board to ultimately win the World Champion title, but the event put the spotlight on the Olympic course and the prospect of a Brownlee gold being produced there this year! Jonny Brownlee was third in the same event, beating the Olympic Champion who was 4th. http://www.london2012.com/triathlon
6. Fraser McKinney getting a taste of the 2012 basketball Olympic venue at the test event in August.
As head basketball physio, Fraser McKinney stood court side in the 12,000 seat arena whilst the GB team played 5 games in 6 days in the Olympic test event. The event was a good prelude to the European Championships which followed only days later. The arena was built in 15 months and is a temporary structure, designed to be dismantled after the games and reused and recycled!
7. Sian Morgan – Two personal bests on top of a silver and two bronze medals, at the Youth Commonwealth Games this September.
Sian Morgan is always producing great results whether it be in the
swimming pool or at school. After being spotted as a great potential at 13, she has built up her career over the past 4 years. In 2010 she went to the Commonwealth games as the youngest member of the Welsh team, a great experience to put her in the mind set for the Olympics. The medals won at the Commonwealth youth games in 2011 show she is an absolute core members of the Welsh team, as well as an inspiration to
many young swimmers!
8. Sarah Barrow and partner Tonia Couch with their stunning performance at the World Championships- Shanghai.
Some may say that the fact they just missed out on a podium position is not of merit. However, in Sarah Barrow’s own words ‘‘it’s actually quite exciting to think we were that close a year out from the Olympics!’‘ If that is what the pair can achieve in competition after a year of interrupted training (due to injury) then how far can they go in 2012 injury free! Exciting indeed.
9. Graeme Everard at the ExCel Arena for the GB weightlifting test event.
The event in December was another great chance for one of our
physio’s to experience the Olympic site. The event was over 2 days and both Natasha Perdue and Steven Kirkbride, who are based here at Leeds Metropolitan University lifted to the Olympic B standard.
10. James Willstrop ending the year with the well deserved achievement of World number one squash player!
What a way to end the year and James did it in style with 3 back to back wins in Hong Kong, Kuwait and finally in Punj! He has now taken over fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew to bask in the glory of the number one spot. James says his aim for 2012 is to hold on to his number one position and CSPC are behind him all the way!