Going for gold in floristry at the skills 'Olympics'

Another type of Olympic Games were held in London next month - The biennial competition WorldSkills

While many people his age are clubs, florist Victoria Richards spends all his free time in a caravan in the garden of his grandmother, the practice of different designs and techniques. Richards, 22, is one of 43 young people selected to represent Great Britain in international competition the greatest powers in the world, to be held in London next month.

skills Nicknamed "Olympic Games", WorldSkills 2011 in London brings together youth from around the world to compete in their skills, barber chosen car repair or construction of robots against the clock before a live audience.

as a finalist in the category of florists, Richards will spend two days in an exhibition to bring together young people and 18 other candidates from around the world, the tasks that could include anything from making a bridal bouquet to decorate a garment with petals and leaves. "To be prepared you need for all kinds of flowers and all kinds of materials as soon as you get the invitation to tender, may decide on a model quickly," she said.

Although it may not attract the same kind of propaganda like the real Olympics, WorldSkills competitors train hard and competition as seriously as their counterparts in sports. But all is not to win medals, a good performance in WorldSkills participants can help accelerate your career and develop skills that will accompany you for life

Richards is so focused on his gold medal, was reduced to part-time hours florists in Aldridge, West Midlands, where she works.

Each week brings new deliveries of flowers, son, branches and materials provided by the practice of their sponsors, the Dutch importer of flowers and Barendson Leicester based florist sundries Whittington company. Mamie Richards offered the use of the caravan, which was equipped with shelves for all your tools and supplies florists.

Richards knows that the technique of first level is not necessarily a guarantee of a medal. As part of the pressure cooker of competition, remaining calm and focused is also vital. Like the athletes, the finalists for WorldSkills is assigned a coach (or "training manager") and taking into account a personalized training program that may include internships with top professionals, demonstrating in schools, colleges and exhibitions, and participate in other competitions.

Of the 200 that make up the initial list, survive at least a quarter of two years of grueling selection and training (including psychological) to represent the UK on the world stage.

• For many competitors, by far the most disappointing to be a finalist is exposed to the public, some can not resist trying to talk to competitors (who are not allowed to participate in the conversation) and comments on their work. "My boss sent me to the formation of a national competition for Skills in Canada so I can get an idea of ??the size and scale of the event," said Kerry McStea, which represents the UK aircraft maintenance. "There were many children of school age, some of them shouting and screaming. He gave me an idea of ??what I'm going to have to face the final and the amount of attention that I need. "

Technical

a plane high in the Royal Air Force, 23, is expected, among other things, to conduct an inspection of the blades of a jet engine and helicopter service next month at the final.

So what makes a top tiler, builder of the world first class or window? For Adam Bushnell, representing the UK in carpentry, it's a matter of accuracy and thoroughness. WorldSkills London 2011 will be asked to complete a series of tasks which could include making a door frame and the construction of a staircase. "Their internal joints must be very clean and fresh, then part of the memory is to ensure that no gaps in the wood of more than 0.3 mm. With such precise measurements would be easy to score zero for all. "

While the UK was a respectable sixth place in terms of score medals in the 2009 competition in Calgary, Canada (compared to 14 in 2007), this year, with competition held in the United Kingdom, have high hopes for success.

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