All the WAG teams seem to have made it so we are in for an exciting competition!
The AllAround Gymnastics News had some notes on Junior podium training here
Some of the main points include:
Viktoria Komova: some problems on floor with triple twist and double arabian pass and overrotated her DTY. She looked good on bars though and she was the only Russian not to fall on beam. She performed an excellent routine but did not include the double arabian dismount.
Anastasia Grishina: performed a beautiful floor but with a sat down 2 1/2 at the end and showed a well executed bars routine. she fell on her full twisting tuck back and was hesitant throughout.
Violetta Malikova: She was showing the signs of her injury with a watered down floor and problems on bars. 2 falls on beam including on her layout to 2 feet.
French Juniors - problems on vault, all had good bars, the team as a whole were solid on beam with only one fall and a good amount of difficulty. Floor was not so good with some falls and average difficulty.
Swedish Juniors: One of the improving nations and showed good basics and execution throughout.
British Gymnastics have posted a few photos of Junior Podium Training on their facebook page. There is one of the Romanians and it seems that the team is now Larisa Iordache, Diana Bulimar, Madalina Neagu, Ana Maria Baicu and Beatrice Margarit. No Maria Balea which is a shame hope she is not injured.
the GB Teams have changed the Senior Team is Tweddle, Hibbert, Downie, Rippin and Hunt with Danusia Francis out from a hamstring injury. Junior Team is now Rebecca Tunney, Ruby Harold, Jessica Hogg, Billie Mckenzie and Laura Mitchell. No Venus Romaeo or Lizzie Beddoe both are my favourites, not sure if they are injured or not.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Sunday, 25 April 2010
What are the best in Europe doing? - Senior Beam
Unlike bars there are a lot more gymnasts with high difficulty scores on beam, so I only included gymnasts who have proven this year that they are also able to get high execution scores. From reviewing the scores from this year I think gymnasts would need a score of mid to high 14s to make the final which low to mid 15s probably taking the medals.
The best gymnast on beam is obviously Ana Porgras and if she can hit I don't think anyone can beat her. I believe her highest score this year is 15.250 (D Score: ) at the Romanian International.
Second Place I think will go to the other Romanian qualifier whoever that may be. It's mostly likely to be Amelia Racea or Raluca Haidu, although Diana Chelaru is also capable and has more experience. Amelia Racea scored a 15.150 at the Romanian International and Raluca Haidu scored a 14.90 and if they perform up to their potential they are more than capable of winning a medal.
Another medal contender is definetley Youna Dufournet. Although I don't like her on this event and hate her Onodi! She has proven to be consistent and has a lot of difficulty (D Score: 6.1 - 6.4). Top Score this year: 15.150 at a Euro Trial. Below is her routine from the FRA/GBR/ROU meet Score 14.90:
Ksenia Semenova is also still capable of scoring well on this piece which I think is now her best piece. D Score: 5.80 Top Score this year 14.675 (Russian Championships) which can be seen here.
Last years European Beam Champion Yana Demyanchuk who is injured should still be able to make it to the final as she scored a 14.850 earlier this year at the Ukraine Cup.
Other gymnasts who should make the final include:
Elisabetta Preziosa who made the World Beam Final last year with her extreme flexibility and excellent leaps. Top Score this year 14.90 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.90):
Vanessa Ferrari is still coming back from injury but we all know she is able to fight and perform under pressure. This year she has put up some impressive performance her best being a 15.00 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.80):
Vasiliki Millousi suprised everyone by qualifying in first place for the beam final at last years Euros but unfortunately could not keep it together in the finals. She could be capable of better this year and has already had a string of good performances this year her best score being in Greece (14.60, D Score 5.70 - 6.10). Below is her routine from Paris finals Score: 14.250:
Sanne Wevers: I would love to see her and her spins make a major final! It always impresses me how easily she spins whereas nearly every other gymnast has problems with just their one spin. Top Score this year 14.550 (Euro Trial, D Score: 5.70). Check out her 3 spin combo below:
Valeriia Maksyuta: She made the final last year but has had very inconsistent performances this year with scores ranging from 12.30 to her top score of 15.10 at the Zakharova Cup. So depending on which gymnast turns up will determine if she makes the final. Below is her routine from the Cottbus final which kind of highlights her so far:
My last mention for this bean final is Aliya Mustafina who has only been able to score 14.20 this year because of injuries but I'm hoping she has recovered as I want to see as much of her gymnastics as possible!
The best gymnast on beam is obviously Ana Porgras and if she can hit I don't think anyone can beat her. I believe her highest score this year is 15.250 (D Score: ) at the Romanian International.
Second Place I think will go to the other Romanian qualifier whoever that may be. It's mostly likely to be Amelia Racea or Raluca Haidu, although Diana Chelaru is also capable and has more experience. Amelia Racea scored a 15.150 at the Romanian International and Raluca Haidu scored a 14.90 and if they perform up to their potential they are more than capable of winning a medal.
Another medal contender is definetley Youna Dufournet. Although I don't like her on this event and hate her Onodi! She has proven to be consistent and has a lot of difficulty (D Score: 6.1 - 6.4). Top Score this year: 15.150 at a Euro Trial. Below is her routine from the FRA/GBR/ROU meet Score 14.90:
Ksenia Semenova is also still capable of scoring well on this piece which I think is now her best piece. D Score: 5.80 Top Score this year 14.675 (Russian Championships) which can be seen here.
Last years European Beam Champion Yana Demyanchuk who is injured should still be able to make it to the final as she scored a 14.850 earlier this year at the Ukraine Cup.
Other gymnasts who should make the final include:
Elisabetta Preziosa who made the World Beam Final last year with her extreme flexibility and excellent leaps. Top Score this year 14.90 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.90):
Vanessa Ferrari is still coming back from injury but we all know she is able to fight and perform under pressure. This year she has put up some impressive performance her best being a 15.00 (Serie A2, D Score: 5.80):
Vasiliki Millousi suprised everyone by qualifying in first place for the beam final at last years Euros but unfortunately could not keep it together in the finals. She could be capable of better this year and has already had a string of good performances this year her best score being in Greece (14.60, D Score 5.70 - 6.10). Below is her routine from Paris finals Score: 14.250:
Sanne Wevers: I would love to see her and her spins make a major final! It always impresses me how easily she spins whereas nearly every other gymnast has problems with just their one spin. Top Score this year 14.550 (Euro Trial, D Score: 5.70). Check out her 3 spin combo below:
Valeriia Maksyuta: She made the final last year but has had very inconsistent performances this year with scores ranging from 12.30 to her top score of 15.10 at the Zakharova Cup. So depending on which gymnast turns up will determine if she makes the final. Below is her routine from the Cottbus final which kind of highlights her so far:
My last mention for this bean final is Aliya Mustafina who has only been able to score 14.20 this year because of injuries but I'm hoping she has recovered as I want to see as much of her gymnastics as possible!
What are the best in Europe doing? - Junior Bars
I think the Russian Team as a whole will be points ahead of everyone else on this apparatus. the top 2 should be Viktoria Komova annd Anastasia Grishina. The rest of the team are also good on bars and are worthy of the bars final if one of the top 2 messes up in qualification: Anastasia Sidorova (D Score: 5.40), Maria Paseka (D Score 5.80) and Violetta Malikova (D Score: 5.90).
Although it will be close I think Komova will win ahead of Grishina but either way they are both excellent on this piece and have start values of 6.50:
One of the best routines I have ever seen Komova do is available here
Even though the Romanians are not strong on bars I still expect Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar to make the final, they have improved on this piece and apart from the russians, bars is a weak piece in Europe for everyone. Of the 2 I prefer Iordache's line and she has more difficulty:
Others who have a good chance of making the final include:
Andrea Foti (ITA): She has a D Score of 5.60 and she has been hitting consistently this year.
Sara Catanzaro (SUI): D Score 5.60. She has some execution errors but there is potential if she can put it all together.
Rebecca Tunney (GB): D Score 5.50. This is more of a hopeful choice as she has potential on this event but is really inexperienced, but I'm hoping at least one Junior from the home team can make a final. She is from the same club as Beth Tweddle but with a different coach.
Julie Croket (BEL): D Score 5.40. She is a real talent, this is not her best event but she still has a chance to make the final if she can handle the pressure.
Mira Boumejmajen (FRA): D Score 5.50. Another stylish gymnast from France who has soke really great skills in her routine.
Maria Livchikova (UKR). She is also lacking experience but I really like her and recently at the Zakharova Cup she performed well woth good execution.
Although it will be close I think Komova will win ahead of Grishina but either way they are both excellent on this piece and have start values of 6.50:
One of the best routines I have ever seen Komova do is available here
Even though the Romanians are not strong on bars I still expect Larisa Iordache and Diana Bulimar to make the final, they have improved on this piece and apart from the russians, bars is a weak piece in Europe for everyone. Of the 2 I prefer Iordache's line and she has more difficulty:
Others who have a good chance of making the final include:
Andrea Foti (ITA): She has a D Score of 5.60 and she has been hitting consistently this year.
Sara Catanzaro (SUI): D Score 5.60. She has some execution errors but there is potential if she can put it all together.
Rebecca Tunney (GB): D Score 5.50. This is more of a hopeful choice as she has potential on this event but is really inexperienced, but I'm hoping at least one Junior from the home team can make a final. She is from the same club as Beth Tweddle but with a different coach.
Julie Croket (BEL): D Score 5.40. She is a real talent, this is not her best event but she still has a chance to make the final if she can handle the pressure.
Mira Boumejmajen (FRA): D Score 5.50. Another stylish gymnast from France who has soke really great skills in her routine.
Maria Livchikova (UKR). She is also lacking experience but I really like her and recently at the Zakharova Cup she performed well woth good execution.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
What are the best in Europe doing? - Senior Bars
I decided to do a series of post on the best gymnasts in Europe on each apparatus for Seniors and Juniors in the lead up to this years Europeans in Birmingham.
SENIOR BARS
Below in no particular order are the gymnasts I think have the best chance to make the bars finals and/or medal as well as some outsiders who could sneak in:
Beth Tweddle - D Score 6.80
Youna Dufournet - D Score 6.90
Aliya Mustafina - D Score 6.60 (with potential for more if adding her new dismount)
Tatiana Nabieva - D Score 6.50
Natalia Kononenko - D Score 6.40
Ana Porgras - D Score 6.30
Serena Licchetta - D Score 5.80
Others with a chance:
Laura Svilpaite - D Score 5.80
Becky Downie - D Score 6.10 (if she can hit)
Ksenia Semenova - D Score 5.90 (I would think she needs Nabieva or Mustafina to mess up in order for her to make the final but it is possible)
Ekaterina Kurbatova - D Score 6.00 (probably needs to improve her form a lot to beat the others on her team but she has the D Score needed)
Vanessa Ferrari - D Score 5.80
Pauline Morel - D Score 5.80
Celine Van Gerner - D Score 5.80
Marie-Sophie Hindermann - D Score 5.60
Raluca Haidu - D Score 5.50
Amelia Racea - D Score 5.60?
Aagje Vanwalleghem - D Score 6.10
Elisabeth Seitz - D Score 5.70
SENIOR BARS
Below in no particular order are the gymnasts I think have the best chance to make the bars finals and/or medal as well as some outsiders who could sneak in:
Beth Tweddle - D Score 6.80
Youna Dufournet - D Score 6.90
Aliya Mustafina - D Score 6.60 (with potential for more if adding her new dismount)
Tatiana Nabieva - D Score 6.50
Natalia Kononenko - D Score 6.40
Ana Porgras - D Score 6.30
Serena Licchetta - D Score 5.80
Others with a chance:
Laura Svilpaite - D Score 5.80
Becky Downie - D Score 6.10 (if she can hit)
Ksenia Semenova - D Score 5.90 (I would think she needs Nabieva or Mustafina to mess up in order for her to make the final but it is possible)
Ekaterina Kurbatova - D Score 6.00 (probably needs to improve her form a lot to beat the others on her team but she has the D Score needed)
Vanessa Ferrari - D Score 5.80
Pauline Morel - D Score 5.80
Celine Van Gerner - D Score 5.80
Marie-Sophie Hindermann - D Score 5.60
Raluca Haidu - D Score 5.50
Amelia Racea - D Score 5.60?
Aagje Vanwalleghem - D Score 6.10
Elisabeth Seitz - D Score 5.70
Friday, 9 April 2010
Romanian International Videos
Videos are available on Ecorn1x's Youtube Channel. For the Seniors young star Raluca Haidu won the AA scoring 58.150. She actually performed a DTY (14.700) which is impressive for someone so tiny. Beam was solid with just a few wobbles but landed her tuck back full fine (14.900) and can be seen here. Her floor routine (14.350) is below:
Ana Porgras was 2nd in the AA (57.050) after yet another inconsistent performance this time it was problems with bars (13.300). Her beam (15.150) was ok a few wobbles but nothing major:
Its weird normally I watch the Romanian floor routines for the tumbling but with Porgras (14.600) it is the opposite I watch it for the spins and bits in between the tumbling:
Amelia Racea competed well apart from a low score on floor (13.250) and earned 56.700 All Around. She performed an untidy DTY to score (14.550) and apparently she was having tropuble with it in warm ups. Her beam (14.950) was nice and interesting to watch with some different combinations then we normally see:
Cerasela Patrascu seems to be getting nearer to her best with a nice performance on beam (13.700), but she still has a watered down dismount which limits her score a little:
Sandra Izbasa returned to competition with an exhibition on beam to prove all the non believers wrong!
Diana Chelaru did not have a good day with falls on bars and beam (13.700). Beam can be seen here.
Among the Juniors Diana Bulimar won the AA. She had a very exciting upgrade on floor which was a well performed double layout! She also had a 1 1/2 step out+double tuck, piked full in and double pike in the routine and never stoppped moving. I love that she performs with a smile:
Maria Balea is so cute and tiny! Her floor routine (13.500) was tiring to watch she never stopped moving and she tumbles so fast:
Larisa Iordache seemed to have many problems with 3 falls, one that did not look good was on a double twisting front layout on floor where she seemed to miss time it. Her floor along with Patrascu and Porgras performing FTYs is available here.
Credit goes to Sri Ea for all coverage, Thank You!
Ana Porgras was 2nd in the AA (57.050) after yet another inconsistent performance this time it was problems with bars (13.300). Her beam (15.150) was ok a few wobbles but nothing major:
Its weird normally I watch the Romanian floor routines for the tumbling but with Porgras (14.600) it is the opposite I watch it for the spins and bits in between the tumbling:
Amelia Racea competed well apart from a low score on floor (13.250) and earned 56.700 All Around. She performed an untidy DTY to score (14.550) and apparently she was having tropuble with it in warm ups. Her beam (14.950) was nice and interesting to watch with some different combinations then we normally see:
Cerasela Patrascu seems to be getting nearer to her best with a nice performance on beam (13.700), but she still has a watered down dismount which limits her score a little:
Sandra Izbasa returned to competition with an exhibition on beam to prove all the non believers wrong!
Diana Chelaru did not have a good day with falls on bars and beam (13.700). Beam can be seen here.
Among the Juniors Diana Bulimar won the AA. She had a very exciting upgrade on floor which was a well performed double layout! She also had a 1 1/2 step out+double tuck, piked full in and double pike in the routine and never stoppped moving. I love that she performs with a smile:
Maria Balea is so cute and tiny! Her floor routine (13.500) was tiring to watch she never stopped moving and she tumbles so fast:
Larisa Iordache seemed to have many problems with 3 falls, one that did not look good was on a double twisting front layout on floor where she seemed to miss time it. Her floor along with Patrascu and Porgras performing FTYs is available here.
Credit goes to Sri Ea for all coverage, Thank You!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Review of Recent State Championships
A couple of weeks ago Gymnastike covered some of the State Championships including Virginia Level 8 - 10, Texas Level 9 & 10 and Illinois Level 10, and as there were so many videos I decided to post some of my favourite routines from each.
Simone Biles - She trains at Bannon's and is a real powerhouse winning 1st on Vault (9.725) and 1st on Floor (9.750) at Texas States. Her floor routine is impressive for a young junior and includes a tucked full in, 2 1/2+punch front and double pike.
Justine Callis - I really liked this elegant floor routine from this level 9 Virginia State gymnast which earnt her 2nd place (9.450). She trains at Ocean Tumblers and is 12 years old.
Simone Biles - She trains at Bannon's and is a real powerhouse winning 1st on Vault (9.725) and 1st on Floor (9.750) at Texas States. Her floor routine is impressive for a young junior and includes a tucked full in, 2 1/2+punch front and double pike.
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Alaina Johnson - She qualified to the National team but because on injuries is competing level 10 and will head to Florida next season and I hope she does well. Her form and presentation really impressed me winning 1st on Floor with a 9.900! as well as 1st on Vault (9.725) and 3rd AA (37.625).
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Megan Tripp - Another of WOGAs little stars who competed in the Junior A category of Level 9. She had a really nice presence on floor and I appreciated her effort to add artistry. She had a very successful meet placing 1st on Vault (9.525), 2nd Beam (9.550), Joint 1st on Floor (9.750) and Joint 1st AA (38.375).
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Samantha Kolbas - She placed forst on beam (9.70), 3rd on floor (9.575), 2nd on bars (9.50) and 2nd AA (38.425) at the Illinois Level 10 State Championships. She trains at Arena Gymnastics and has a full scholarshi[ to Arkansas. I liked her whole beam routine but the best part was her stuck double tuck back dismount!
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Justine Callis - I really liked this elegant floor routine from this level 9 Virginia State gymnast which earnt her 2nd place (9.450). She trains at Ocean Tumblers and is 12 years old.
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Alex McMurty - She is a Level 10 gymnast from Richmond Olympiad and won the AA in the 12 - 13 year old division with 38.125. She was really impressive on all events and I most liked her Floor in which she had some really good tumbling and won with 9.60. She was also competing in her first meet since October as she has had wrist surgery! Check it Out:
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Monday, 5 April 2010
Wild Rose Event Finals videos
Deng LinLin
Bars
Beam
Floor
Sui Lu
Beam
Floor
Jiang YuYuan
Bars
Rose Kalam Woo
Beam, very impressive for a 10/11 year old! Score 13.000 (D Score 5.2) 3rd Place
Sabrina Gill
Floor, Score 13.85 (D Score 5.2) 1st Place:
Jocelyn Hunt
Floor, I like this girl more and more I hope she gets a spot on the GB Euros team:
Bars
Beam
Floor
Sui Lu
Beam
Floor
Jiang YuYuan
Bars
Rose Kalam Woo
Beam, very impressive for a 10/11 year old! Score 13.000 (D Score 5.2) 3rd Place
Sabrina Gill
Floor, Score 13.85 (D Score 5.2) 1st Place:
Jocelyn Hunt
Floor, I like this girl more and more I hope she gets a spot on the GB Euros team:
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Jesolo Review - USA
I have been waiting for more videos to appear before I posted my thoughts on the results.
USA
Seniors
Mackenzie Caquatto: I have to say I have never been a fan of hers, I find her gymnastics boring and I don't think she has the personality or performance skills to be a top elite gymnast. Her floor was a disaster (11.650) with two falls and two OB, I read somewhere that she had an ankle injury and there certainly seemed something wrong which makes me ask why did they put her on floor? Why not save her ankle? Her beam was better (14.300) but nothing special, the only event I like her on is bars (14.350). To be honest I hope she goes to college and finishes with elite after this season, I can't see her making the Worlds team and I much prefer her sister and others.
Alexandra Raisman: She is another one who lacks personality and performance skills, but I really want to like her as her talent and skills are amazing. I was never Alicia Sacramone's biggest fan but what I did like was her personality and it needs to rub off on Raisman somehow! She performed a really good yurchenko double twist(15.150) and I want to see her with an amanar. Bars was better than I thought, she has more potential here than Alicia did and she stuck her double front dismount (13.700). Beam was good, some of the leaps were suspect but her acro skills were fine, just a hop on the dismount (14.250).
Floor (14.550):
Amanda Jetter: Excellent stuck yurchenko 1 1/2 (14.400), nice high releases (piked&straddled jaegers) and transitions on bars just a few late pirouettes (13.550), nice double front dismount. On floor she had a nice variety of tumbles (double arabian, back 2 1/2+front layout 1/1, back 1 1/2+front layout 1 1/2, dbl tuck bk), most with good landings (13.800). Although I'm not a fan of her music I like that she puts effort into the performance I just think she needs to mature a bit she still seems like a junior to me.
Kytra Hunter: Love her power and energy but hate her dance and choreography! Her floor dance is not what an elite should have and its a good job she can tumble (14.200). Her yurchenko double was a bit untidy in the air and had a big step on landing (15.00! possibly a little overscored).
Cassie Whitcomb: I really like her elegant style, her floor music is the same as Steliana Nistor's in 2008 but it is completely different in style. I enjoyed her whole performance, and although she may be weak on Vault and Beam I wouldn't mind seeing her on a World team even just for 2 pieces. She only scored 13.650 but I hope she can upgrade by the summer, Bars was better with 14.200 (no video).
Morgan Smith: She needs to work on her leaps and feet but I like her and she has some big skills. Her beam was solid (14.150) and I can see her being a good contributor to the team if she keeps being consistent. Her floor was also solid with nice high tumbles but she seems to have gone to the same choreographer as Kytra, surely someone can do better than this:
Juniors
Kyla Ross: She looks like she has grown a lot and I think it has given a much more elegant look. As everyone has already said she was well beaten by Grishina especially on bars but people should remember that this is early in the season for Kyla whereas Grishina is being peaked for Euros in a couple of weeks. She still has a couple of years before she is Senior so there's time for bars improvements. She had some different combinations in her beam routine including free walkover+flick+layout step out, tuck back+sheep jump. Unfortunately she fell on her side somi but really tried to stay on(13.450)! Regardless of the result at Jesolo I think she will be a real asset to Team USA as a senior if she can stay healthy as she has proven she can perform under pressure and I much prefer her to many of this years seniors.
Floor (14.250):
Sabrina Vega: I love her personality and gymnastics, she didnt have the best meet especially on beam (13.550, 7.550 E score) and floor she landed her 2nd pass out of bounds which cost her .5 as well as loss of difficulty, but the rest of the routine was nicely performed (13.300).
USA
Seniors
Mackenzie Caquatto: I have to say I have never been a fan of hers, I find her gymnastics boring and I don't think she has the personality or performance skills to be a top elite gymnast. Her floor was a disaster (11.650) with two falls and two OB, I read somewhere that she had an ankle injury and there certainly seemed something wrong which makes me ask why did they put her on floor? Why not save her ankle? Her beam was better (14.300) but nothing special, the only event I like her on is bars (14.350). To be honest I hope she goes to college and finishes with elite after this season, I can't see her making the Worlds team and I much prefer her sister and others.
Alexandra Raisman: She is another one who lacks personality and performance skills, but I really want to like her as her talent and skills are amazing. I was never Alicia Sacramone's biggest fan but what I did like was her personality and it needs to rub off on Raisman somehow! She performed a really good yurchenko double twist(15.150) and I want to see her with an amanar. Bars was better than I thought, she has more potential here than Alicia did and she stuck her double front dismount (13.700). Beam was good, some of the leaps were suspect but her acro skills were fine, just a hop on the dismount (14.250).
Floor (14.550):
Amanda Jetter: Excellent stuck yurchenko 1 1/2 (14.400), nice high releases (piked&straddled jaegers) and transitions on bars just a few late pirouettes (13.550), nice double front dismount. On floor she had a nice variety of tumbles (double arabian, back 2 1/2+front layout 1/1, back 1 1/2+front layout 1 1/2, dbl tuck bk), most with good landings (13.800). Although I'm not a fan of her music I like that she puts effort into the performance I just think she needs to mature a bit she still seems like a junior to me.
Kytra Hunter: Love her power and energy but hate her dance and choreography! Her floor dance is not what an elite should have and its a good job she can tumble (14.200). Her yurchenko double was a bit untidy in the air and had a big step on landing (15.00! possibly a little overscored).
Cassie Whitcomb: I really like her elegant style, her floor music is the same as Steliana Nistor's in 2008 but it is completely different in style. I enjoyed her whole performance, and although she may be weak on Vault and Beam I wouldn't mind seeing her on a World team even just for 2 pieces. She only scored 13.650 but I hope she can upgrade by the summer, Bars was better with 14.200 (no video).
Morgan Smith: She needs to work on her leaps and feet but I like her and she has some big skills. Her beam was solid (14.150) and I can see her being a good contributor to the team if she keeps being consistent. Her floor was also solid with nice high tumbles but she seems to have gone to the same choreographer as Kytra, surely someone can do better than this:
Juniors
Kyla Ross: She looks like she has grown a lot and I think it has given a much more elegant look. As everyone has already said she was well beaten by Grishina especially on bars but people should remember that this is early in the season for Kyla whereas Grishina is being peaked for Euros in a couple of weeks. She still has a couple of years before she is Senior so there's time for bars improvements. She had some different combinations in her beam routine including free walkover+flick+layout step out, tuck back+sheep jump. Unfortunately she fell on her side somi but really tried to stay on(13.450)! Regardless of the result at Jesolo I think she will be a real asset to Team USA as a senior if she can stay healthy as she has proven she can perform under pressure and I much prefer her to many of this years seniors.
Floor (14.250):
Sabrina Vega: I love her personality and gymnastics, she didnt have the best meet especially on beam (13.550, 7.550 E score) and floor she landed her 2nd pass out of bounds which cost her .5 as well as loss of difficulty, but the rest of the routine was nicely performed (13.300).
Wild Rose Invitational Event Finals
UPDATE Full results can be found here
I managed to get access to the live feed both days but Saturdays stream was impossible to use so I couldn't really see any routines, but Sunday was much better as they had a more zoomed in camera on each event. The results of the All Around were not suprising:
1. Deng LinLin 58.900
2. Jiang YuYuan 57.550
3. Sui Lu 56.350
Event Finals:
Vault
I didn't see much of this final only Charlotte Mackie who performed a Yurchenko layout 1 1/2 (nearly sat down) and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front tuck off (stuck). Score 13.225 3rd Place. Overall Charlotte didn't see in competition shape and I really hope she does well this year as I loved her as a Junior and she hasn't lived up to that potential.
Bars
Sui Lu: She's obviously not a top bar worker but she did have some interesting skills including toe on Shaposhnikova+pak salto, stoop in to handstand+piked jaeger(she stopped on something after this that I couldn't see), full in dismount. Score 13.700 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: Her routine was good with just some small errors. She performed Inverted giant+Endo in Invert+Endo in Invert 1/2, 2 pirouttes (couldn't see what)+Straddled Jaeger, pak salto, full twisting double layout dismount (very piked down). Score 15.400 2nd Place.
Jiang YuYuan: This is definetely her best piece at the moment. Giant 1 1/2+Tkatchev, Healey 1/1+Ono+straddled Jaeger, pak salto, double layout dismount. Score 15.650 1st Place.
Beam
Jiang YuYuan: She had a complete meltdown during this routine, she seemed really unfocused from the start. It began with a fall on a front pike, flick+straight bk (not enough height hands down), front tuck (pause)+tuck back+sheep jump (fall), switch ring (wobble), 2 flicks into 2 1.2 dismount (step). Score 11.450 8th Place.
Miranda Meyer: I really like her and hope she comes back well from her injury as I think she has potential on this piece everythinbg had good form just not enough difficulty. She had a nice round off tuck bk 1/1, 2/1 spin, switch side, front tuck, back tuck and a round off 2/1 dismount. Score 12.400 4th Place.
Deng LinLin: She started off really well and was impressing me with a new 1/1 spin leg at horizontl into 1/2 spin combination, high layout 2 feet and nice front pike, until she got to her switch ring leap which looked fine but she was a little off and her foot slide down the beam. She didn't actually touch the floor though as she hung under the beam and got back up, finishing with free walkover+sheep jump, side somi, split change+ and double pike dismount (chest low). Score 14.250 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She had a different routine to last year and showed a verry steady performance with few wobbles, perhap this routine will work better for her than the one at Worlds. Front tuck (pause)+korbut, Front tuck 1/2 (stuck), switch ring, free walkover (pause)+flick+pike back, 1/1 spin leg at horizontal, side somi, round off double pike dismount. Score 14.750 and a well deserved 1st Place.
Floor
Jiang YuYuan: She had the same music as Beijing and performed watered down tumbling so she is perhaps not at full fitness or anywhere near that yet. I missed her first tumble, 2nd was back 2 1/2 twist, triple spin (foot down), I think next it was a triple twist (not sure the stream kept cutting out) and finished with a double pike. Score 14.100 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: She also still has her Beijing music, I'm hoping for a new routine later this year. All tumbles were performed well but almost every landing had a step which is costly with the new rules. Tumbles: tucked double arabian, tucked full in, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike (stuck landing). She had also added a new spin which was a 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel). Score 14.700 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She did her job with another solid routine, with nice choreography. Tumbles: whip+triple full, back 2 1/2+front layout, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike. The best part of her routine was the spins she performed a new spin 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel) and a beautiful 2/1 with leg at horizontal. Score 15.250 1st Place.
Just a quick mention of Jocelyn Hunt (GBR) whose routine I missed on floor but she scored a credible 13.900 and a good performance in the AA this weekend which is good considering she was a last minute addition to the competition. She proved yet again to the selection committee that she can be consistent, maybe she will be a suprise European Team member?
Overall Impressions
I was pleased to see China taking this meet seriously considering there wasn't much competition and it is early in the season. Sui Lu was the most impressive to me winning her best two events, I actually like her more and more each time I watch her. I think if she continues to be consistent she will definetely be headed for another Worlds team and perhaps medals. Deng LinLin looked good overall, apart from that mistake on beam and had an excellent performance in the AA so she will surely be hoping to do better than last year at Worlds in the AA. Jiang YuYuan is the one I'm not sure about. The only event where she can contribute is Bars and as China has He Kexin and many other excellent bars workers, YuYuan is not going to be put on a Worlds team just to do bars, she did put up a good AA score but I'm sure there is a few who will be better (Tan Sixin, Huang Qiushuang as well as Deng). So where does that leave her? Will she get back to her best or will she retire?
I couldn't watch the Juniors as they were streamed on a separate video at the same time as the Seniors. I only got to see Riley Cholod on bars which she won with 13.750 and showed tkatchev, clear pike circle to handstand 1/2+Endo 1/2, overshoot 1/2 and double pike dismount. She is a real talent and also consistent coming 2nd on Beam and Floor and winning the AA on Saturday (53.400). The only video available is of Sui Lu training floor in the training session od Friday:
I managed to get access to the live feed both days but Saturdays stream was impossible to use so I couldn't really see any routines, but Sunday was much better as they had a more zoomed in camera on each event. The results of the All Around were not suprising:
1. Deng LinLin 58.900
2. Jiang YuYuan 57.550
3. Sui Lu 56.350
Event Finals:
Vault
I didn't see much of this final only Charlotte Mackie who performed a Yurchenko layout 1 1/2 (nearly sat down) and a Yurchenko 1/2 on front tuck off (stuck). Score 13.225 3rd Place. Overall Charlotte didn't see in competition shape and I really hope she does well this year as I loved her as a Junior and she hasn't lived up to that potential.
Bars
Sui Lu: She's obviously not a top bar worker but she did have some interesting skills including toe on Shaposhnikova+pak salto, stoop in to handstand+piked jaeger(she stopped on something after this that I couldn't see), full in dismount. Score 13.700 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: Her routine was good with just some small errors. She performed Inverted giant+Endo in Invert+Endo in Invert 1/2, 2 pirouttes (couldn't see what)+Straddled Jaeger, pak salto, full twisting double layout dismount (very piked down). Score 15.400 2nd Place.
Jiang YuYuan: This is definetely her best piece at the moment. Giant 1 1/2+Tkatchev, Healey 1/1+Ono+straddled Jaeger, pak salto, double layout dismount. Score 15.650 1st Place.
Beam
Jiang YuYuan: She had a complete meltdown during this routine, she seemed really unfocused from the start. It began with a fall on a front pike, flick+straight bk (not enough height hands down), front tuck (pause)+tuck back+sheep jump (fall), switch ring (wobble), 2 flicks into 2 1.2 dismount (step). Score 11.450 8th Place.
Miranda Meyer: I really like her and hope she comes back well from her injury as I think she has potential on this piece everythinbg had good form just not enough difficulty. She had a nice round off tuck bk 1/1, 2/1 spin, switch side, front tuck, back tuck and a round off 2/1 dismount. Score 12.400 4th Place.
Deng LinLin: She started off really well and was impressing me with a new 1/1 spin leg at horizontl into 1/2 spin combination, high layout 2 feet and nice front pike, until she got to her switch ring leap which looked fine but she was a little off and her foot slide down the beam. She didn't actually touch the floor though as she hung under the beam and got back up, finishing with free walkover+sheep jump, side somi, split change+ and double pike dismount (chest low). Score 14.250 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She had a different routine to last year and showed a verry steady performance with few wobbles, perhap this routine will work better for her than the one at Worlds. Front tuck (pause)+korbut, Front tuck 1/2 (stuck), switch ring, free walkover (pause)+flick+pike back, 1/1 spin leg at horizontal, side somi, round off double pike dismount. Score 14.750 and a well deserved 1st Place.
Floor
Jiang YuYuan: She had the same music as Beijing and performed watered down tumbling so she is perhaps not at full fitness or anywhere near that yet. I missed her first tumble, 2nd was back 2 1/2 twist, triple spin (foot down), I think next it was a triple twist (not sure the stream kept cutting out) and finished with a double pike. Score 14.100 3rd Place.
Deng LinLin: She also still has her Beijing music, I'm hoping for a new routine later this year. All tumbles were performed well but almost every landing had a step which is costly with the new rules. Tumbles: tucked double arabian, tucked full in, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike (stuck landing). She had also added a new spin which was a 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel). Score 14.700 2nd Place.
Sui Lu: She did her job with another solid routine, with nice choreography. Tumbles: whip+triple full, back 2 1/2+front layout, back 1 1/2+front layout 1/1, double pike. The best part of her routine was the spins she performed a new spin 2/1 leg held in splits (memmel) and a beautiful 2/1 with leg at horizontal. Score 15.250 1st Place.
Just a quick mention of Jocelyn Hunt (GBR) whose routine I missed on floor but she scored a credible 13.900 and a good performance in the AA this weekend which is good considering she was a last minute addition to the competition. She proved yet again to the selection committee that she can be consistent, maybe she will be a suprise European Team member?
Overall Impressions
I was pleased to see China taking this meet seriously considering there wasn't much competition and it is early in the season. Sui Lu was the most impressive to me winning her best two events, I actually like her more and more each time I watch her. I think if she continues to be consistent she will definetely be headed for another Worlds team and perhaps medals. Deng LinLin looked good overall, apart from that mistake on beam and had an excellent performance in the AA so she will surely be hoping to do better than last year at Worlds in the AA. Jiang YuYuan is the one I'm not sure about. The only event where she can contribute is Bars and as China has He Kexin and many other excellent bars workers, YuYuan is not going to be put on a Worlds team just to do bars, she did put up a good AA score but I'm sure there is a few who will be better (Tan Sixin, Huang Qiushuang as well as Deng). So where does that leave her? Will she get back to her best or will she retire?
I couldn't watch the Juniors as they were streamed on a separate video at the same time as the Seniors. I only got to see Riley Cholod on bars which she won with 13.750 and showed tkatchev, clear pike circle to handstand 1/2+Endo 1/2, overshoot 1/2 and double pike dismount. She is a real talent and also consistent coming 2nd on Beam and Floor and winning the AA on Saturday (53.400). The only video available is of Sui Lu training floor in the training session od Friday:
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