Great Britain’s senior women’s team have qualified through to the team final in top spot after an outstanding qualification competition in Bern (SUI). , , Becky Downie, Gabby Jupp and contributed world class routines toward the team total of 173.636 points to place narrowly above Russia (173.261) and make it to Saturday’s team final.

The competition also acted as qualification for Sunday’s apparatus finals with Becky qualifying for the bars (2nd place) and beam (5th) finals, Ellie the (4th) and (2nd), Claudia floor (1st) and vault (5th) and Gabby Jupp the bars final (5th).

Becky said after: "Qualification is often the hardest competition and to have placed I top position with improvements still to make is a great start to these championships, I’m very proud of all the girls. Personally I was very happy with my bars routine and know I have more to improve on beam so I feel good. Today was all about the team though and we can look forward to Saturday final. We’ve never won gold before so this gives us a lot of belief but we know it won’t be easy - we can’t wait to get out and compete again."

The British girls got off to a near perfect start competing on bars. British champion Gabby Jupp first up held back any nerves after a long wait to complete a very tidy, well executed routine for 14.566 followed by Ruby Harrold who showed impressive skills between the bars in her highly difficult routine for 14.033. 2014 European bars champion Becky Downie was last up and showed real class in her performance with very little for the judges to deduct and a perfect dismount she scored a hugely impressive 15.033 points. On to beam and Gabby Jupp was again in fine form with a well-controlled difficult routine completed without major vaults for 14 points. Unfortunately there was a fall for Claudia Fragapane as she couldn’t quite control landing highly a difficult series of skills, she responded well and scored 13.366. Last up was Becky Downie who combined difficulty with precision, her smile on dismounting saying it all as she scored 14.333.

On to floor Ruby Harrold was superb, her first two series of tumbles landed perfectly to score 14.200. Ellie Downie followed up with even more difficult tumbling for another impressive total this time 14.266. Last to come was Claudia Fragapane, whose routine had the crowd on their feet in applause. With high difficulty, lots of energy and expression she posted an outstanding score of 15 marks. Ending on vault Ruby completed her great performance scoring 14.800 for the team. Ellie and Claudia then followed up both vaulting twice (as they were going for vault final), Claudia’s first vault 14.733, second 14.366 for an average of 14.549. Ellie staring with 15.033 and then a 14.700 to average a superb 14.866.

The championships continue tomorrow (Friday) with the junior all-around final featuring GB’s and Maisie Methuen.

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

 British Gymnastics is the UK Governing Body for the sport of gymnastics. It exists to support, lead and inspire all those involved or interested in gymnastics; from creating new programmes and activities at grass roots to helping the development of top-level talent and delivering world-class events across the UK.  Visit the British Gymnastics website at www.british-gymnastics.org.  British Gymnastics partners with all four UK home nations.  Those interested in taking part in this spectacular sport, regardless of age, ability or fitness level, should visit www.DiscoverGymnastics.uk.  British Gymnastics includes Women's , Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics, Pre-school Gymnastics, FreeG (Freestyle Gymnastics), Adult Gymnastics, Disability Gymnastics, GymFit, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tumbling, MYClub, TeamGym, Aerobic Gymnastics and Double Mini Trampoline. Those interested in knowing more and taking part in this spectacular sport, regardless of age, ability or fitness level, should visit www.DiscoverGymnastics.uk.  British Gymnastics is there every step of the way, from welcoming new participants to the sport, to offering opportunities to compete at every level and perform at fun gymnastics events, competitions and/or festivals.  British Gymnastics is funded, primarily, through its membership and Government funding.