News etc

Australia has named it's gymnastics teams for the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Men: Phil Rizzo, Prashanth Sellathurai, Sam Offord, Thomas Pichler + Josh Jefferis
Women: Lauren Mitchell, Ashleigh Brennan, Georgia Bonora, Emily Little + Mary Ann Monckton.

The alternates for the womens team are Shona Morgan and Georgia Wheeler. All these, as well as Emma Dennis, Britt Greeley, Georgia Simpson, Larrissa Miller and Natasha Hammann will attend a camp on 12 September from where the World team will also be chosen.

The FIG has announced the 2010 world championships will be the biggest ever, with 690 gymnasts due to compete. Brazil's Daiane Dos Santos is also hoping to make a comeback at Worlds this year.

The British mens gymnastics team (Yevgeni Gryshchenko, Sam Hunter, Ruslan Panteleymonov, Daniel Purvis, Theo Seager, Kristian Thomash) have headed off to train with the Japanese men for 2 weeks. (British Gymnastics)

The British Trampolining Championships take place this weekend at the NIA in Birmingham. Definitely worth a look if you're in the area. If you're in a completely different area the US Covergirl Classic is also happening.

2004 men's Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm is planning a comeback in time for London2012. Hamm looked a safe bet for the '08 olympic team but had to withdraw at the US olympic trials after injuring his hand. He intends to begin competing again from 2011.

As was going around the rumour mill earlier - US skater Caroline Zhang has indeed changed coaches to Tammy Gambill. The announcement was posted on icenetwork and universal sports.

NISA has posted their assignment of GB skaters for the Junior Grand Prix this season.

Bouncing Back.

Two skaters looking to bounce back from disappointing 09-10 seasons are Mira Leung (of Canada) and Caroline Zhang of the USA.

Mira recently took part in the Heart Truth Fashion Show, looking elegant and mature in a one-of-a kind designer red dress. Mira gave her own story of how heart disease had affected her family.

“My grandmother is active and has never worried about her health, yet she suddenly had a heart attack. Seeing her so sick in the hospital was very shocking, especially in such stark contrast to her usual vivacity. Today, she is back to her usual self, but that experience made me realize how important heart health awareness is, and how vital it is to look after your heart no matter how healthy you are. I am excited to be taking part in the Heart Truth fashion show and supporting this wonderful foundation. It means the world to me to be able to help spread the message about heart health awareness!”


Joannie Rochette also took part in the show in honour of her mother, and looked down right fabulous!

I personally have been a big fan of Mira's skating. She's recieved a lot of slack over the years for her odd jumping technique and lack of maturity, but I've always found her fun to watch. I also feel the Canadian Skating Federation turned its back on her as soon as she stopped winning national medals - not giving her a single international assignment to try and prove herself. I felt she was much improved at the last 2 Nationals but they didn't seem to think so.

I hope she bounces back and can show some of this new found sassy-ness on the ice.


Caroline Zhang had a disaster at the 2010 nationals - finishing 11th, but revived her season by winning a bronze at 4 Continents. She too has a lot of technical issues to fix if she's going to stay competetive. But I hope she can as she still has beautiful qualities.

This is still all unofficial but word is that Caroline's coach Ming Xu Li has moved back to China and she is now being coached by Tammy Gambill. If this is so, it should all be confirmed at the US champs camp later in the summer.

Caroline has bounced around coaches before, but I hope she can settle down and make it work this year.

(Mira & Joannie's photos came from the Heart Truth show's Flikr Account. Caroline's photo was taken by my friend and skating photographer Phil Culhane)