French Championship – Pont-a-mousson, Northern France. June 14^th/15^th 2008

What time is it? – “its summer time schools on vacation” I sing………yippee I have just finished all my exams and school!!!  It feels so cool – no more revising night after night and I can get back to my real love – jet ski-ing.

After a pamper day with thanks to my mum and Carmella – my boss at the hairdressers I went off, feeling well chilled, to the cinema to watch Sex and the City before going for a lovely Italian meal with my friend Zara to celebrate the end of school and finally ending the day by setting off to travel through the night for France.

On arrival in the lovely little town of Pont-a-mousson in Northern France we set up camp with Boss and the B7sport team.  It was great to see everyone again.  I was very happy to be here and ready to race………no more exams to think about – just the ten long weeks to wait for results instead!

I was a little worried that at riders meeting I wouldn’t understand anything as everything was obviously in French BUT I was made very welcome and everyone helped me out.

In France you have a transponder fitted to your ski and after practice you have thirty minutes of water time for timed trials – it’s cool because you don’t have the pressure of just being on the water alone because you are out with all your class so its just like practice really.  The fastest lap time means you get to choose pole position.  I was winning then very near the end Julie put in a faster lap time so I just had time to do one more lap and luckily for me it was a good one that took me back into the lead. So that was a good start for me.

Saturday evening there was a BBQ so we all went and had a nice evening – I must learn French though!!

Sunday morning – unfortunately it wasn’t a good start as Julie twisted her knee out in practice so she was unable to ride but luckily in the French Championship you are allowed to drop a round so that’s good news for her as she is currently leading the championship with Vicky Beale close behind.

In Moto I had a great start in and took the lead but I knew Vicky was close behind me so I had to ride hard.  It was a big course – my timed lap trial was 1 min 30 secs and the race was on a river so it really chopped up especially as you went under a bridge – as you can see from the photos.  It was just like riding in Mirendella so good training. I managed to stay in the lead despite taking a little dip – luckily I held onto my ski so didn’t have to swim or it would have been game over.  I was very pleased to see the chequered flag! 

Mica had a problem with his ski so he took little old pinky out to do his GP timed trial – bless, he took some stick over the microphone for riding “pink” but he was very happy because pinky did him proud and brought him home third in the timed trials.

I felt very tired after moto 1 infact I even had a little sleep in the lunch break – something I never ever do – maybe it was just all the relief of the last few weeks!

Once again in Moto 2 I got off to a cracking start and took the lead again with Vicky behind me.  This time the race seemed shorter thank goodness – must have been the power nap!  I was still very pleased to see the chequered flag though. I know I need to improve my fitness that’s for sure!

As for little pinky she showed Mica “Girl Power” as she took him to a win in GP Moto 1 and despite developing a problem she still brought him home 3^rd in moto 2 to take 3^rd overall in Ski GP.  Well done Pinky and Mica – sorry dad and I know its Fathers Day and that now means you have two skis’ to do mechanics on now this week!!!   

Presentation was held in the Town Hall and the trophies were lovely – can you believe they have a pink trim on them – well cool.

I would like to say a big Thank you to everyone for making me very welcome in France and for making sure I understood everything that was happening – it was very much appreciated thank you.

Finally I hope Julie’s knee gets better soon and many congratulations to Audrey and Thomas on their lovely news.  Thanks to all the B7 sport team and of course all of my sponsors who make it all possible. Well done to “Team Teddy” over in Mons today and Garry I hope you are resting and doing as you are told!

Now for the long drive back – but at least I don’t have to revise although I guess I best start learning something about engines now!