A FOUR-strong Bermuda gymnastics team flew out this week for a two-day meet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with medals on their minds.

Two years ago the Bermuda team took first place in the Platinum division of the the United States of America Independent Gymnastics Club Nationals and hope to reclaim their status as champions this year.

However Bermuda Gymnastics did not send a team to the event last year as it conflicted with the Island Games.

Making this trip are Morgan Beckles, 11, Kaisey Griffith, 13, Hannah King, 14 and Riann Ming, 13.

Coach Michelle Strenk said competition would be tough with more than 300 children from all over the States expected to make the important meet which starts today.

She said: "We are hoping to make it to the finals on the second day."

However she said Bermuda's small size team put the team at a disadvantage with larger clubs able to field more athletes and only put forward their best scores.

"We only have a team of three ? we cannot drop anything. All our scores count. Other teams might have ten individuals.

"Last time we went we had five in our team."

Kaisey, Riann and Hannah will be competing in the platinum division while Morgan will trying her luck at the gold level.

Strenk said the team was strong on the beam but a little inconsistent on the bar.

"That is what we are working hardest on now," Strenk said.

At least the team will feel at home. The new venue is in the heart of the marina area where cruise ships are a common site.

And Strenk has already led the squad to overseas success this year.

Last month five of the junior team competed in a weekend competition in Burlington, Canada.

The gymnasts had the opportunity to compete twice, once on the Saturday and again on the Sunday in a friendly pairs meet.

The Saturday competition went well with Morgan Cleave and Tabytha Hofheins bringing home medals from the all around while Morgan Beckles, Rebecca Forgesson and Rosie Finnigan all competed well and brought home ribbons.

For three out of the five girls it was their first time travelling without their parent. Strenk also organised a day of activities for the Friday before the competition which included a visit to a drive-through zoo, featuring many big game animals the girls had never seen before, while later they visited Niagara Falls.

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