February 20, 2017
Year 9 student Isla Airs has proven she’s very handy with a stockwhip after taking out the Queensland junior whipcracking title.
Isla, who studies at St Mary’s Catholic College in Kingaroy, won the 16 Years and Under (Junior) and Novice categories at the Queensland Whipcracking Championships which were held in conjunction with the recent Clifton Show.
A group of whipcrackers from St Mary’s travelled to Clifton for the competition, but it was Isla who came home with the ribbons.
She has three whips which she uses in competition: two for her freestyle routines and a shorter whip for target or accuracy work.
In the Novice competition, Isla had to complete a one-minute freestyle whipcracking routine.
In the Junior category, she had to complete another one-minute freestyle routine as well as target and accuracy tests.
Isla said she has been whipcracking for four years, including three years with the St Mary’s team.
However, it is the first time she has competed at this level.
“It is the first time that I have gone to something like this,” she said.
“I get very nervous before competitions but once I am out there, I just have to do my best.”
To top off the ribbons, Isla also won $200 cash.
She now hopes to compete at the Australian Whipcrackers and Plaiters Association championships which will be held at the Boonah Show in June.
