flexibility for snatch

I came late to olympic lifting (age 50). I have a great deal of difficulty achieving the bottom position in the snatch, and can only lift 45 kg as opposed to 70 kg for the power snatch. I cannot lose the bar to the rear. I feel this is due to shoulder flexibity problems. I can not grip the bar any wider as my hands are against the collars. Do you agree with my analysis and can you suggest a solution.
Thankyou

Well I’ve trained with many master lifters and most of them power snatch or half-squat snatch their lifts, even in competition. Some of them will use the split snatch (catching the bar in a lunge position as in the jerk) as it requires less shoulder flexibility and allows you to catch the bar alomost as deep as in a squat snatch.

Olderlifter,

Here’s a good article on the split style:

http://pub26.ezboard.com/foldschoolstrengthtraining70757frm3.showMessage?topicID=105.topic