World Masters Championships for Laura and Netty

Laura Allen, who has competed in several international events was first to compete in her first event in the Women 35 Weight. This was the first time she had thrown this implement indoors so I it was a slightly different experience. Allen came 6th and just 5cm from her personal best with 7.96m.

For her second event she was throwing outdoors at a venue 8 miles from the indoor stadium on a disused golf course. She came in 7th place with 22.38m her best throw in the last round. Good performances at the start of the throwing season in very hot conditions in the middle of the day.

Annette Webster was making her debut on the international stage in the Javelin in the Women 45 age group. She got to the venue to register in 29 degrees and was competing on the last day of the week long event on Sunday 30th March, UK Mother’s Day with her son there to lead the cheering .

Storms had been forecasted all day and the temperature had dropped to a mere 24 degrees. On arrival at the throws venue in the worst weather, they were told the start would be delayed but to wait under the shelter that’s normally used for shade! When the lightening started they were told to get on the coach for safety to avoid being electrocuted under the shelter. Local rules were if lightening was detected within a 2 mile radius, they had to wait for 30 minutes after the last strike.

The throwers eventually got the call. Spikes on, order of throws given and they were taken over to the throwing area. Webster was 4th to throw. Javelin in hand for her first warm up throw to walk 5m to the runway and 4 bolts of lightning later they were back on the coach for an hour.

Still raining but quiet on the thunder front, they were called again. This time they threw in rain that just got worse as the competition went on.

During the competition it started to thunder then the lightening was back. In the end Webster finished in 8th place with 18.73. A good performance in very difficult conditions.