Nous Sommes Le Champions, Mon Ami

Down at Shoreline this afternoon, as Greystones Baton Twirlers prepare to go into battle once again, the atmosphere was notably relaxed.

Not that these eight local competitors aren’t ready for battle.

It’s just that, well, the Greystones Baton Twirlers have an awful habit of winning. A lot.

Heading over to Vendéspace, France tomorrow, Tuesday, for the World Baton Twirling Federation’s 2016 European Cup – or EuroCup Twirling 2016, as it’s also called – the Greystones gang will be gone for five days, with the big final on next Sunday. The eight Greystones competitors heading over are Leah Smyth (Group), Rebecca Quinn (Group), Ceejay Queen (2-Baton Solo and Group), Chloe Hayden (Freestyle, Solo and Group), Carolann McDonald (Freestyle, Solo, Pair and Group), Jessica Howard (Freestyle, Pair and Group), Aimee Sweeney (Freestyle, Solo and Group) and Keane Maher (Freestyle, Solo and 2-Baton Solo).

We managed to pull two of the team away from their warm-up this afternoon, Chloe and Carolann talking France, fear and being fantastic…