Carole Derrien (W65) and Catrina Hallden (W35) travelled to the highly industrialised Sindelfingen, a town 15 km from Stuttgart, along with some 3,000 athletes from 56 countries – with Derrien bringing back two silvers and a bronze.
The duo took part in the winter throwing competition, a new event for Great Britain team members.Hallden started her heavy hammer competition in below-zero temperatures, although sunny conditions, throwing just under her personal best to secure fourth place.
Four inches of snow fell the next night so her discus competition was held in beautiful, arctic conditions.All the competitors suffered, however, and distances were well down because of the minus 5C temperature, cold discs and a freezing circle.
Thankfully, the weather relented before the hammer event and she beat her personal best and made the final although missing a medal position.A new experience was to follow, indoor shot, which was held in the bowels of the Glaspalast, a cauldron of a venue.
Hallden was pleased to post a better distance than of late, but did not make the final eight.Seasoned campaigner Derrien suffered back and hip problems, but thanks to the medical team’s help, she managed to complete her programme.
Opening with the heavy hammer she summoned all her resources to secure the silver medal.But it was an effort which was reflected in her withdrawal from the shot the next day, despite having reached the final eight.A day’s rest helped her to tackle the discus, but again she could not capitalise and had to be content with silver.On the final day, in what should have been her best event, she was unable to deliver the hammer well and a very disappointed athlete gained only a bronze.Both throwers will be going to Aarhus, in Denmark, this summer to compete in the European Championships, and have learned a lot from this first WMA event.
The second championship will be held in Linz, Austria, in 2006 and the pair hope that more Jersey-based athletes will join the Great Britain squad.
