Lori Strong of Whitby and Larissa Lowing of Pickering make up part of the strongest gymnastics team ever to represent Canada when they compete in the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand Jan. 24 – 27.
Strong and Lowing, both members of the Winstonettes Gymnastics Association, ranked first and second respectively at the 1989 Elite Canada gymnastics competition last month.
Gritt Koehl, public relations co-ordinator of the Winstonettes, said that Lowing, who will celebrate her 17th birthday on Jan. 26 during the games, and Strong, are medal contenders.
The first day is designated for team competition, the second day for individual competition, and the third day for individual finals.
The competition is based on optional exercises in vault, uneven bars, beam and floor exercises.
After a flight from Toronto to Vancouver on Jan. 13 the team went to New Zealand the next day and arrived in Auckland. New Zealand on Jan. 16. The ladies begin training today (Wednesday) and will continue until Jan. 23, prior to the competition.
After the competition is over, team members will be granted a few days to explore New Zealand before returning to Toronto on Feb. 4.
