George Caddy, 4 October 1936
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A flash bulb on George’s camera has frozen the twin backflips by these two gymnasts mid-air and illuminated the sand suspended beneath them. This ability to anticipate and compose a fleeting moment is a measure of his photographic skill. Although front somersaults are easier to learn, backward somersaults are easier to perfect, as the tumbler can see their landing and correct body rotation. Backward somersaults are known as ‘gainers’, if the landing is ahead of the take-off spot and ‘cutaways’, if the landing is behind.