1966 - 3rd World Open Trampoline Championships, Lafayette

- Trampoline History -

Jeff Hennessy, Director of this year's Championship made sure 

that the visiting competitors and their coaches were treated to 

both traditional Southern Hospitality as well as a great competition!

The 3rd World Trampoline Championships 

and

The 2nd World Tumbling Championships

April 29-30, 1966

Louisiana Southwest University

Lafayette, Louisiana 

During the past year, the F.I.T. Technical Committee had been hard at work 

establishing rules for the World Championship event.

1966 World Champions - Wayne Miller (USA) & Judy Wills (USA)

(Along with their winning routines)

Newt Loken Provides Color Commentary...

(Newt Loken, University of Michigan Men's Gymnastic

 Coach sent in the following story which was printed

 in the June/July 1966 issue of Modern Gymnast.)

"Going into finals Wayne Miller won and David Jacobs was a close second - - this after their two routines on Friday; required and optional. Wayne had 27.95 and Dave 27.85, based on about 9.5 on required and 9.6 on optionals with about 8.8 difficulty ratings. Then we had drama. 

"All the bouncers went through their routines - - 8 countries - - with the last two up being Dave and Wayne. Dave landed slightly back on his triple back start and then hit a low and hurried Rudie-fliffis which left him low and off balance. About all he could do was a simple back flip and then another easy stunt to build up height and from there it was simply ad-libing his way through the remainder of his routine. He scored way down and finished fifth. 

"Wayne hit his routine and walked off with the crown. As you recall, two years ago he was 4th and last year 3rd in the World Meet, so we are all very happy for him. In his home town on top of it! The crowd really gave him a fine ovation."

Video of trampoline, tumbling and awards ceremony.

Having trouble viewing video? Use this link:

https://youtu.be/ybgHfN0bfq0

Men's Trampoline Results

1. Wayne Miller, United States - 46.70
2. Spenser Wiggins, South Africa - 43.80
3. Michael Budenburg, West Germany - 43.70
4. Ian McNaughton, South Africa - 43.55
5. David Jacobs, United States - 42.70
6. Billy Popiwenko, Australia - 40.20
7. Dieter Schultz, West Germany - 40.05
8. Rick Kinsman, Canada - 39.60

Women's Trampoline Results

1. Judy Wills, United States - 43.15
2. Nancy Smith, United States - 42.10
3. Sue Warns, South Africa - 39.65
4. Lynda Ball, United Kingdom - 39.55
5. Helga Flohl, West Germany - 38.90
6. Maria Jarosch, West Germany - 38.15
7. Chariott Parietz, South Africa - 37.50
8. Wendy Coulton, United Kingdom - 37.45

Men's Synchro Results                                                             Women's Synchro Results
1. Wayne Miller - David Jacobs, USA - 15.10                             1. Judy Wills - Nancy Smith, USA - 14.90
2. Ian McNaughton - Spenser Wiggins, SA - 13.45                     2. Helga Flohl - Maria Jarosch, WG - 13.05
3. Dieter Schultz - Michael Budenburg, WG - 12.75                    3. Chariott Parietz - Sue Warns, SA - 12.40
4. Rick Kinsman - Wayne King, Can. - 12.05                              4. Wendy Coulton - Lynda Ball, UK - 12.00
5. Clive Brigden - David Curtis, UK - 11.95

Men's Tumbling Results                                                           Women's Tumbling Results
1. Frank Fortier, USA - 8.55                                                       1. Judy Wills, USA - 8.85
2. David Jacobs, USA - 8.40                                                      2. Donna Schaenzer, USA - 8.45
3. Richards Wadsworth, USA - 7.85                                         3. Susan McDowell, SA - 7.60
4. Bill Bottrof, USA - 7.85                                                           4. Paula Crist, USA - 7.35
5. Rick Kinsman, Can - 7.75                                                      5. Irene Hawroth, Can. - 6.40
                                                                                                    6. Lilly Strekfus, USA - 6.15
                                                                                                    7. Joey Indovena, USA - 5.65    

 The Trials & Tribulations of a Meet Director...

During last year's 2nd World Championship in London, Competition Director Ted Blake faced the unexpected challenge of coordinating the entire event on the very same day as Winston Churchill's funeral. 

At this year's Championship, Jeff Hennessy faced sudden challenges as well. The following newspaper article, "Charlie's Corner," by Charles Lenox, was printed in the Lafayette Adverstiser, April 1, 1966. 

___________________________

"Things seemed real rosy when Southwestern and Lafayette landed the meet as it seemed that a rich television pact went along with it and there would be no worry about funds. But then the catch came - - the networks didn't have the time for the World Trampoline Championships and therefore didn't shell out the needed money.

   "But things were not all gloomy as a national cola company got into the act and said they would help defray the expenses of bringing in foreign athletes. But things didn't go better with..."___".  It seems that the cola company wanted to make the presentation in the foreign countries and didn't care about publicity in the United States.

   "Then one of the world airline companies jumped in and said they would fly some of the athletes in. Then they found out that the athletes would not be able to come into Lafayette on the company's own planes. The company feared they might lose the publicity angle if the the athletes didn't arrive on the major company's planes.

   "So the sports and recreation committee of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce had to guarantee that they would collect $2,800 from people and clubs in Lafayette...and make enough on admissions to offset expenses..."

The people and clubs of Lafayette must have taken up

 challenge and rallied for Jeff Hennessy's cause - - 

as the event came off as planned.

For the trampolinists, tumblers, coaches and 

audience all enjoyed an impressive display of

 international talent! 

Thank you Jeff Hennessy for staging the first world
trampoline - tumbling championship held in the
United States...an outstanding feat!

1966 - Lost & Found: USA vs. South Africa vs. W. Germany Trampoline Competition

Writing about trampoline history is certainly an enjoyable pastime. It becomes even more gratifying when bits of history are discovered that might otherwise have faded completely away.

This is one of those occasions.

It all began with a photograph - - of six athletes standing on an awards podium - - Who, what, why and when did this happen? And, were there any more photos? Thanks to the assistance of Ian McNaughton, Duane F. Bruce, and Leigh Hennessy (daughter of Coach Jeff Hennessy) - - we can share the story and results, with you.

_____________________________ 

By 1966, the sport of trampoline was growing across the globe. Each country formed trampoline associations who in turn sponsored clinics, local and national competitions and even sent their best athletes to attend world competitions.

This was the year of the 3rd World Trampoline Championships, which were scheduled for April 29-30^th in Lafayette, Louisiana. Teams from the United Kingdom, South Africa, West Germany, Canada, and Australia were all slated to attend.

                                                                                                                                                     

The Australian trampoline team’s travel schedule to the World Championships put them in Los Angeles one week prior to the big event. Aussie bouncers Don Viney, Billy Popiwenk, Kerry Casey and Ian Irvin, President of the Australian Amateur Trampoline Association, met up with Jess Robinson (notably one of the first persons in the US to open a public trampoline jump center), who organized a whirlwind tour of local sites and attractions.

Arriving on Thursday, their day began with a visit to the Los Angeles Athletic Club, then on to Hollywood Blvd., for a stop at C.C. Brown’s (home of the first hot fudge sundae) and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. They then toured Universal Studios and finished up with dinner at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park.

Friday was spent at Disneyland and Saturday on Muscle Beach. On Sunday, the Australians took off for Louisiana; by way of Greyhound bus - - so they could enjoy seeing even more America along the way!

Meanwhile, the teams from South Africa, West Germany and the USA had been invited to Lafayette for a special trampoline competition to be held two days prior to the World Championships. 

Here are the results from that April 27, 1966, International "triangular" Trampoline Competition:

L-R: 6th-Dieter Schultz (WG), 4th-Spencer Wiggins (SA), 2nd-Jim Youngue (USA),
1st-Wayne Miller (USA),  3rd-David Jacobs (USA), 5th-Ian McNaughton (SA) - 1966
Photo: Coach Jeff Hennessy

Men's Results:

1. Wayne Miller (USA)     47.05 pts.

2. Jim Yongue (USA)        46.35 pts.

3. David Jacobs (USA)      45.96 pts.

4. Spencer Wiggins (SA)   41.65 pts.

5. Ian McNaughton (SA)   41.20 pts.

6. Dieter Schultz (WG)       30.25 pts.

L-R: 6th-Helga Flohl (WG), 4th-Maria Jarosch (WG), 2nd-Nancy Smith (USA), 1st-Judy Wills (USA),
3rd-Judy Ford (USA), 5th-Charlene Paletz (SA) - 1966
Photo: Ian McNaughton

Women's Results:

1. Judy Wills (USA)     43.90 pts.

2. Nancy Smith (USA)  42.70 pts.

3. Judy Ford (USA)       39.95 pts.

4. Maria Jarosch (WG)  37.75 pts.

5. Charlene Paletz (SA) 36.95 pts.

6. Helga Flohl (WG)      31.90 pts.

Interesting anecdotes: 

1. The women's third place finisher, Judy Ford (USA), went on to win the title of Miss America in 1969, choosing to perform on the trampoline for her entry in the talent portion of the pageant's competition.

2. In West Germany, Dieter Schulz was coached by Duane F.Bruce, an American champion trampolinist who originally toured Europe with George Nissen in 1959 . Duane traveled with the West German team to Lafayette which was under the leadership of their head coach, Dr. Heinz Braecklein.

3. Coach Bruce recounted the following memory highlighting the sacrifice made by one of his athletes for the love of his sport: Dieter Schulz came from East Berlin, then a part of the German Democratic Republic after the borders were closed on August 13, 1961. He arrived (in West Berlin) the morning of August 15, 1961, hidden in the back luggage compartment of my (Duane's) VW Bug, in front of the back drive motor. I remember the Vopos (People's Police) inspecting the VW at the border and I had to open Dieter's suitcase on the back seat. On top of his clothes was his gymnastics kit with the emblem of the DDR on the front of his jersey. I told them I had been training with the "Genossen" (Comrades) at the Police Gym earlier that night. They let me through into West Berlin after thinking of me as a DDR benefactor who wanted to live at least part-time in the "Worker's Paradise. Note: Just five years later in 1966, Dieter Schulz went on to become the second best trampolinist in all of West Germany, thus assuring his place as a member of the team that traveled to Louisiana that year.

4. On April 29^th, 1966, the 3rd World TrampolineChampioships and 2nd World Tumbling Championships commenced. During warm-ups on the trampoline, Don Viney (Australia) experienced back problems. Dr. Youngue (USA trampoline competitor Jimmy Youngue’s father) examined Don and found a crushed disc from a past injury. The doctor’s strict advice was, “No more bouncing!” and Don unfortunately had to sit out the rest of the Championships. However, young Don's efforts to travel to and try and compete in the Championships didn’t go unrecognized, as during the closing ceremonies he received the Sportsmanship Award.

L-R: Ron Frolich (SA), Ian Irvin (Aus), Kerry Casey (Aus), Billy Popiwenk (Aus), Don Viney (Aus) - 1966
Photo courtesy of Coach Jeff Hennessy.

1965 - 2nd World Open Trampoline Championships, London

- Trampoline History -

Notable "firsts" achieved at this event: 


1. This was the first World Championship for tumbling.

2. Synchronized trampoline was held as an exhibition competition with expectations for it to become an official event in 1966.

3. Bob Bollinger's new difficulty rating called, "Axial Rotation System," was used as a guide to determine athlete seeding and qualification. 

4. Governing members of the newly formed International Trampoline Federation (F.I.T.) were in attendance.

_________________________________________

Competitors were matched against each other in pairs and entered into a modified double elimination tournament. Winners of the first round continued on through the Championship bracket. Losers in the first round automatically went into the Class B consolation bracket. Competitors were seeded on the basis of ratings on other information supplied by their national associations. An optional 10-bounce routine was required from each competitor. 

 At the conclusion of the trampoline and synchronized events the 1st World Tumbling Championships commenced. The same modified double elimination tournament rules used for trampoline were applied to tumbling. Each tumbler was required to execute two routines down the mat in each match, and his performance was judged against that of his opponent's following each pass. The first pass must contain predominately forward movements and the second predominately backward movements. In case of a tie, a third optional routine was required. 

Watch the entire competition:

Having trouble viewing this video? Use this YouTube link instead.

Axial Rotation System: 

"The system evaluates individual stunts and combinations and assigns a numerical "grade" for each on the basis of difficulty. The difficulty is determined by the degree of rotation about a body axis. For example, a front drop, or 1/4 rotation = 1 point. For each additional 90 degrees of lateral rotation the rotation value increases 1 point. A forward somersault (360 degrees) = 4 points. For a twisting somersault (rotation around the longitudinal axis & the lateral axis combined) the value increases 1 point for each 1/2 twist (180 degrees) and 1 point for each 1/4 somersault (90 degrees) for a total value of 6 points."

"Bonus points are added to the basic rotation value if the takeoff or the landing is made from the front or backdrop position rather than the feet." 

"When stunts are placed in combination (a routine) the value of one stunt (B) is influenced by the value of the one proceeding it (A). Thus the combination value is determined by a process of multiplication:"     

Stunt B = Stunt B + (Stunt A x Stunt B)

                                  10 

Three Cheers for Ted Blake!

Ted Blake

Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the U.K., died on January 24. Queen Elizabeth promptly decreed his funeral be held on Saturday, January 30th...which happened to be the SAME day as the scheduled World Championships!

This unexpected challenge could have pushed  any other ordinary competition organizer into a tailspin. But in true "Ted Blake form,"  he managed to retain all hotel bookings, shuttle competition participants between venues as well as fill the Hall with 2,000 enthusiastic spectators. 

    Once again, producing a spectacular show for all!  

Collen Melvin and Marijke Van den Boogard present Ted Blake with a gift from the South African trampoline team.