The Canada Cup 2017 vaulting event was held last weekend at Chilliwack’s Heritage Park, with more than 100 elite-level athletes from seven countries competing.
Vaulting is a sport that combines gymnastics with horseback riding, and Chilliwack’s Freedom Acrobatics club had two athletes competing individually.
Railey Bird started off in the children’s level one event, but performed so well she was bumped up to level two for the second day of competition. Bird then placed third in the highest international class open to children ages 12-14.
Aleasha Meloshinsky competed for the first time at the international elite athlete level, placing second overall in senior level one women’s event.
Freedom Acrobatics and Langley’s Fusion Vaulters joined forces in the level two squad event, entering a team of six.
Meloshinsky was part of the group, along with Jessica Church, Jenn Sedler, Chelsea Wensley, Samantha Kennedy and Ava Burgener.
Together they achieved a personal best score and a first place ribbon for their dramatic freestyle routine.