LONDON 2012: Solid start for British rhythmic gymnasts as they seek Olympic qualifying standard

Posted: Monday 16th January 2012 | 18:48

GREAT Britain's rhythmic gymnasts took a giant step closer to Olympic qualification at the London 2012 test event.

The British Olympic Association have set the team a benchmark score of 45.233, 80 percent of the winning mark at the World Championships, to achieve over the two-day competition at the 02 Arena.

And they sit on 23.100 points at the halfway stage, which left team member Rachel Smith brimming with self-belief.

“I think we did a really good job and are proving to everyone why we should be here," she said.

"There’s a great feeling in the group and we were confident and performed with confidence.

"We have put so much hard work in and we feel ready to show everyone what we can do, and are looking forward to hopefully producing another good routine tomorrow.”

Frankie Jones hopes to seal her individual Olympic place at the test event, after she finished as the top Brit at last year's World Championships.

But she stuttered with her ball routine, although rebounded with a much more assured and near fault free display with the hoop, leaving her 25th in the competition.

“I’m disappointed with how I started," she admitted.

"I’m not sure if it’s a mixture of nerves and it being a relatively new routine, but I still shouldn’t have made those mistakes.

"I’m really happy to have made a comeback for hoop with a much more confident routine and am looking forward to tomorrow’s competition and more improvements."