Quick Chat with Lynette Lisle (22nd June 2006)

Backflip had a chat with Great Britain and Wales International Lynette Lisle (17) just before preparing to compete at this weekend’s China v Great Britain competition in Liverpool.

Backflip: How did you get started in gymnastics?
Lynette: I started gym at age 5 in a local leisure centre. I think I had a lot of energy when I was younger so my mum thought it would be a good idea to channel it somewhere.

Backflip: What has been your greatest achievements so far?
Lynette: My greatest achievements so far is winning the Northern European Championships 2005 in Lisburn also the Commonwealth Games where I got into the all-around final and placed 9th and a-bars final where I placed 8th. I also helped the Welsh team to 4th place.

Backflip: What competitions are coming up for you next?
Lynette: I have been selected to compete in the GB vs China comp and I have also been selected to compete in the World School Games in Greece the week after. Then I am heading for the British Championships in July and from there I am hoping to make the World Championships team.

Backflip: How did you feel about your performance at the Commonwealth Games?
Lynette: I thought that myself and the Welsh team performed brilliantly at the
Commonwealth Games, despite a few little injuries we improved on the Manchester 2002 results by placing 4th as a team. I was really pleased to have got into the all-around final and into the top ten spots.

Backflip: Did you enjoy the Commonwealth Games experience - what is your best memory?
Lynette: I will never forget the Commonwealth Games, it was such and experience. Having friends and family flying over to support you is just amazing and performing in front of thousands of people was just brilliant.

Backflip: What skills are you working on at the moment?
Lynette: At the moment, I am working on a 1 ½ Yurchenko on vault and a stoop through Tkachev on bars.

Backflip: Who are your close friends in the gym?
Lynette: I have quite a lot of close friends at gym but most of all Olivia Bryl and
Samantha Bayley who I train with in Wales everyday and are such great team-mates. Also Melanie Roberts, Rhian Pugh and Jessica Gazzi who has now unfortunately retired are close friends which I travelled to the Commonwealth Games with. Imogen Cairns is also a close friend who I train with regularly.

Backflip: Describe your training schedule.
Lynette: I train 6 days a week mostly with Tracey Skirton and on a Monday and Thursday morning I do fitness sessions on the bike and a strength and conditioning session. I train 4 - 6 hours each day.

Backflip: What do you think of the new Code?
Lynette: I think the new code is quite confusing really but it is definitely harder than the old code with deductions and falls etc.

Backflip: Have you got any injuries?
Lynette: I am injury free at the moment.

Backflip: Who do you most admire in the gymnastics world?
Lynette: I admire Svetlana Khorkina because I thought it was really good that she tried to defend her world titles again and again which shows she is really determined.

Backflip: What would you like to do after gymnastics?
Lynette: After gymnastics I would love to travel away to university and also help
out with coaching.