But Jaclyn Sicard is making it a mission to go against the grain. The Stoney Creek power tumbler has her sights set on being number one in her sport. She says she’ll get there one backflip at a time. Power tumbling is a gymnastics sport that combines the skills of artistic gymnastics on the floor with those of trampolining. Competitors perform two passes, each containing eight skills along a track, usually starting with forward, twisting flips, continuing with a series of back handsprings and flips, and ending with a dismount skill.

In the lower levels, there are rules athletes have to follow about the types of moves each pass should contain. As the athlete advances in levels, he or she obtains more freedom to improvise. Although it’s not an official Olympic sport, tumbling has its own governing bodies, with international competitions all around the world. Through those competitions Jaclyn has managed a ranking of No. 5 worldwide and No. 1 in Canada, in her age group.

“The training is tough but I love it,” Jaclyn told the Stoney Creek News. “I’ve been doing this for about four years now, it’s something I’ve always been interested in and when I found the program in Burlington I loved it from day one.”

She enrolled in the Burlington BG gymnastics club where she is trained by seven-time national tumbling

champion Denis Vachon. Earlier this month, she placed first in her age group at the Ontario Championships, and two years ago she placed

fifth at a world competition. In spite of her youth she doesn’t see herself doing anything but tumbling.

“It’s something I’d like to continue right into the pro level,” she said. “The most challenging part is learning new skills as you progress. Once you learn them and perfect them it’s the most rewarding thing ever.”

Like most athletes, Jaclyn is not immune to injuries. She suffered an ankle and a wrist injury last year. She found out first-hand how difficult it can be to start again.

“It’s tough to get your skills back (after an injury),” she said. “You have to take time off and you don’t fully train for awhile. You can

condition while you’re off but you have to be careful.”

Her coach called her a natural.

“She’s very talented, with a natural ability, and she has a great physique for it,” said Mr. Vachon.

“She has a natural build, her body easily adapts and builds muscle, and she’s a tireless worker. A lot

of how far she has come is a result of how hard she’s willing to work to get there.”

He recognized that Jaclyn wants to go further but he added that she is still young, making it difficult to know where she might go. For now, he said, she is one

of the sport’s leaders who is setting a trend. Jaclyn’s next competition is on May 29, when she enters a national competition at the McMaster Sports

Complex, and she is working towards a spot on the team for the world competition to be held in Russia

in November.