Goings on

I'm currently away from home in Newcastle for a family wedding with a wounded laptop in tow - still feel it is right to update on the recent sports happenings when I get a moment.


A few miles from here the GB gymnasts beat the Swiss girls in their latest friendly international. Some of the bigger names were competing here than at the recent GB vs Romania meet. GB (Rebecca Downie, Jenni Pinches, Danusia Francis, Nicole Hibbert, and Hannah Whelan) scored 168.700 in the team competition to convincingly beat Switzerland (Ariella Kaeslin, Jennifer Senn, Jennifer Rutz, Linda Stampfli, Minu Krasniqi) with 152.850.

Becky Downie returned from her recent injury to claim the all around with a score of 55.950.
Becky said: “It feels really great to put in a performance like I have today. I was really happy with Beam and excited to be able to show off my new Floor routine, so overall I’m very happy.” GB also took the top 4 spots in the all-around with Kaeslin in 5th, scoring 53.100.

At the Russian Cup, Aliya Mustafina showed she is back on form after collecting a number of medals at Europeans then looking lacklustre performance at the Japan Cup. Mustafina took the all-around with 62.271 (The scores here were inflated as the judges gave extra marks for originality). The Ksenias, Afansyeva and Semenova took silver and bronze respectively. I would love to see all 3 of these girls at Worlds, although I suspect Semenova will miss out on the AA final.

In the skating world, as I predicted the Russian's made a comeback in the ladies event at JGP France. Polina Shelepen completed a 7-triplr jump programme to take gold ahead of Yasmin Siraj (USA) and Rosa Sheveleva (Russia). France's Yretha Silete was 4th and Jiang of the USA 5th. Andrei Rogozine (Canada) held onto the Men's title. Stepanova and Bukin of Russia decisively won the ice dance event.

Stateside- one of the USA's international bar workers, Cassie Whitcombe has a broken leg. This will likely take her out of the World's race. What this means is that either Bridget Sloan needs to get healthy and fast - or Mackenzie Caquatto (who I had dismissed for being inconsitent) may get the call. For such a strong team USA has a big weakness in the bars department- Where's a healthy Liukin when you need her!

And finally - on the other side of the World, Sui Lu won the all around at the Chinese Nationals. Her score of 56.900 bettering Jiang Yuyuan (56.35) and Huang Qiushuang (55.600). Deng Linlin missed the competition with a pulled thigh muscle.

Where do we go from here?

I was pondering this evening where 'Queen Yu-Na' will go if she chooses (or is forced) to leave the Cricket Club.


I could think of only two places that would do for her.

The Granite Club in Toronto is another exclusive private club and the base (for at least some of the time) of Lori Nichol, Kurt Browning and Patrick Chan. I'm sure Yu-Na could get plenty of first rate coacing and ice time here and would not have to sever all ties with Toronto. But with Canada skaters so loyal to Brian - would she really get a warm welcome?


However- if Yu-Na wants more of a change of scene she might consider moving to Michelle Kwan's family rink, the East West Ice Palace in Artesia, California. This place is busy with californinian skaters (Caroline Zhang being one of them) but I'm sure Yu-Na would be welcomed. I'm sure the biggest star in Korea would suit LA rather well.

I can't see Yu-Na going to Russia as however big a star you are you must slog it there. And life in Korea would still be just to crazy if she still wants to train and compete.

Meanwhile

French Skater Yrethra Silete has surprised many and won the short program at JGP france. The skater who's best finish on the JGP to date was 6th place at the event in Dresden last week scored 48.67. This put her narrowly ahead of Polina Shelepen (RUS, 48.11) and Nina Jiang (USA, 48.06). I have a feeling the russian will take it in the free skate but is would be great to see this french unknown hold on for a medal at home.

(Photo of Silete by David Carmichael)


In the men's competition Canada's Andrei Rogozine topped the short programme (64.52) ahead of the two americans Max Aaron (64.31) and Jason Brown (58.00).

All the US skaters competing in the Senior Grand Prix this season are in Colorado Springs for Champs Camp- which this year includes a monitoring competition.

I'm sure all the interviewers will be wanting a few words from Adam Rippon on the situation back at the Cricket Club!

Mirai Nagasu won't be skating at the camp as she has a stress fracture in her foot (this girl has ROTTEN luck!) She is due to be back on the ice September 1st. However it seems to be lucky she made it to the camp at all given these tweets:
Woke up today...at 10...got ready to go to the mall....and then...

I checked my email and realized I've got a plane to catch!! Hello Champs
camp!!:)

Gotta love that girl!

Meanwhile...

Back in the world of gymnastics-

The Chinese nationals are taking place. This will be one of the first stage in selecting the world team for them. Will they be able to stay on top of the world as they were in Beijing?


Olympian Jiang Yuyuan is one of the gymnasts debuting a new floor routine. We all loved her olympic routine- but she had outgrown it somewhat.

Whilst in the USA the newly assembled national team (minus Vanessa Zamarippa- who has been nudged by Marta that her routines lack difficulty) are down in Texas for the first of 2 worlds selection camps.


The US do like to draw out team selection! As I mentioned in my previous post, my picks for the team would be -

Rebecca Bross, Mattie Larson, Alicia Sacramone, Kytra Hunter,
Bridget Sloan - if she can be ready in time (Cassie Witcombe if she can't)

I confess I can't remember if there are teams of 5 or 6 this year. Ali Raisman would be a fairly safe and consistent 6th member and it would be sad to see her miss out to her own gym-mate, Sacramone.

GBR vs ROM event finals

Sunday saw the event finals at the friendly event in Ipswich.

VT
1. Imogen Cairns 13.938
2. Jennifer Pinches 13.938
3. Raluca Haidu 13.638

UB
1. Becky Downie 14.175
2. Danusia Francis 14.100
3. Daniela Andrei 13.600



BB
1. Cerasela Patrascu 14.425
2. Danusia Francis 14.250
3. Diana Trenca 14.200

FX
1. Imogen Cairns 13.975
2. Daniela Andrei 13.925
3. Diana Trenca 13.875



Also as it seems to be the trend at the moment here are my picks for the US world team. This is based on the gymnasts needed for the team final and relies on a healthy and ready Bridget Sloan. If Bridget isn't ready then the US will need another bars worker such as Cassie Whitcome or Mackenzie Caquatto.

Team Members
Rebecca Bross
Mattie Larson
Alicia Sacramone
Kytra Hunter
Bridget Sloan

Team Final Events
VT - Larson, Sacramone, Hunter
UB - Bross, Larson, Sloan
BB- Bross, Sacramone, Sloan/Larson?
FX - Larson, Hunter, Bross/Sloan?

My picks for the AA would be Bross and Larson (but if Sloan is ready it might be cruel to not let her try and defend her title)

Finally - if anyone has been missing it- the Olympic Alphabet will continue from tomorrow!

Yep - still happy!

Congrats go out again to Rebecca Bross and Mattie Larson. 1-2 at the US championships after both completing 2 clean all around competitions in a row.

Full results at USA Gymnastics.
1. Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas, 120.300
2. Mattie Larson, Los Angeles, Calif., 117.000
3. Alexandra Raisman, Needham, Mass., 115.650
4. Kytra Hunter, Frederick, Md., 114.350
5. Mackenzie Caquatto, Naperville, Ill., 113.350
5. Chelsea Davis, Lakeway, Texas, 113.350
7. Samantha Shapiro, Los Angeles, Calif., 112.000
8. Vanessa Zamarripa, Shiloh, Ill., 111.400

New national team family photos


Also on the other side of the pond- Romania narrowly beat GB at the friendly meet in Iswich 165.400pts vs.163.100pts. The big stars (Tweddle and Isbasa) didn't make an appearance after all but Hannah Whelan (GB 55.65) won the all around ahead of Daniela Andrei (ROM 55.60) and Raluca Haidu (ROM 54.900).


And - even further East - the Youth Olympics have started with Gymnastics taking place later this week. It's all go!

Happy Maker

I woke up to some good news this morning.

My 2 favourite US gymnasts hit 4 for 4 last night and are 1-2 at the Visa Championships.


Rebecca Bross started out with her ususal power and better execution than normal on bars (although she couldn't quite stick her dismount for once) she made up for it later by making her beam dismount with room to spare and sticking her vault cold. Bross Finished the night comfortably in first with 60.400.

Mattie Larson reminded us she is well and truely back with a great 4 events. Her floor was beautiful with almost perfect landings on all the tumbling. I would love to see these 2 make the AA final at worlds. Larson finished the night with 58.200.


Alicia Sacramone finished first on vault with an average of 15.350 and second to Bross on beam with 14.850.

I've only been able to watch a few of the hilights on the Universal Sports website, but one person who did not have a great night was Bridget Sloan. Onle competing beam here didn't give her much room to make an impresstion, and she managed to make a poor one with a dismal 13.150. She's going to need some real fight in her to make the world team this year or secure a second olympic spot once the new juniors come up fighting.

Mind you - speaking of Juniors. Shock of the evening was that Jordyn Wieber fell 3 times on beam and appears to have injured her ankles. She may not compete in the finals. With her place on the national team assured and her age keeping her from Worlds, I hope she plays it safe and smart. Kyla Ross leads the junior event

View full results here.

Right - gymnastics break over - back to my vacation!

Meanwhile in the world of Gymnastics

Next week I will be taking a much needed holiday from work, revision and dissertation writing. From a blogging perspective though, I seem to have picked a bad week- it's all happening at the moment.

Youth Olympics kick off in Singapore. A full list of participants is available here. One update is that Jessica Hogg is replacing Laura Mitchell for team GB gymnastics as Mitchell has a fractured ankle.


Other British gymnasts will be facing off against Romania at a friendly event in Ipswich. I'm sad to be missing this one but can't complain as I did see both teams at the Euros recently. IG has reported that olympic floor champ Sandra Izbasa will be returning as part of the romanian team. Hopefully Beth will be there too, giving Izbasa a run for her money on floor.

The Romanian Team has been announced as
Sandra Izbasa, Ana Porgras, Diana Chelaru, Gabriele Dragoi, Ceresela Patrascu Diana Trenca, Dana Andrei
GB has announced their National Squad - but not yet which girls will compete in Ipswich


And the Americans will be fighting it out at the Visa Championships. I'm sure there'll be no shortage of blog reporting on that event, if classic was anything to go by.

The start list for seniors is :-
Georgia Dabritz, Vanessa Zamarippa, Rhaegan Courville, Kytra Hunter,
Lauren Beers, Becca Bross, Samantha Shapiro, Sophina deJesus,
Cassie Whitcomb, Alicia Sacramone, Bridgette Caquatto, Brandie Jay,
Kaitlyn Clark, Sophia Lee, Jaclyn McCartin, Bridget Sloan,
Amanda Jetter, Aly Raisman, Mackenzie Caquatto, Annette Miele,
Morgan Smith, Mattie Larson, Chelsea Davis.

Sam Shapiro is apparently still hoping to compete bars and beam after hyperextending both her knees on her vault at the classic. I haven't heard anything to say Bridget sloan won't be competing all around - she'll be facing stiff competition for her title though, Bross in particular won't want to see another gold slip away.....

Bolt from the Blue

17 year old world vault champion from the US , Kayla Willams has made the surprising decision to stop competing elite gymnastics and focus on getting ready for college gymnastics.

Kayla made the metioric leap from the US junior championships to world champion in a single year. We all predicted she'd be around at least until 2012 if not maybe 2016!

She was due to compete at the Classic last weekend but pulled out after a minor injury ( a torn plantar fascia tendon in her foot.) Her coach, Mary Lee Tracey said Kayla felt this would hinder her chances of making the 2010 world team so decided to start getting ready to College. Kayla committed to joining thr University of Alabama team from next summer.

Whilst I still find this a surprising decision- I wish her luck.

.....It does look then as if comeback-kid Alicia Sacramone's chances of making the world team this year have increased then, with USA minus one strong vaulter- the mighty Marta will have her eyes open!

Classic - Seniors

I have managed to get a video link of the Senior event- makes the late night worthwhile!

I'll be updating as much as I can, probably between rotations.

Rotation 1
Vanessa Zamarippa - started off with a good vault - but with some big steps on landing - 14.5
Mackenzie Caquatto - came out fighting on bars- looking great 15.05
Alicia Sacramone - got the job done on beam- announcing her comeback - 14.8
Kytra Hunter - threw some massive stuff on floor (full twisting dbl layout, piked + tucked dbl arabians) same music as last year.
Ali Raisman- started a bit wobbly on beam but finished with a dbl arrabian dismount 14.3
Cassie Whitcomb - strong on floor- great landings. - It's all going well so far...
Mattie Larson - looked awesome and so sure of herself on beam - until she sat down on the dismount :-( 13.45
Sam Shapiro - solid on beam, over-time on her routine. Still has a cool beam mount, lots of standing on the top of her toes though - ouchy
After rotation 1 - 1 Caquatto, 2 Sacramone, 3 Hunter, 4 Shapiro, 5 Zamarripa

Rotation 2
Amanda Jetter - double twisting yurchenko
(whoever is on floor in the background is using shawn johnson's old music)
Briley Casanova - bars, good handstands, slightly sloppy releases, big fall on dismount though. She has to do well today to qualify for nationals
Kytra Hunter- dbl yurchenko, small step fward
Ali Raisman - good on floor, 2 tumbling passes stuck. dbl arabian pike and tuck.
Rebecca Bross- fast and furious as ever on bars, stuck dismount, business as usual. 15.45
Mattie Larson - means business on floor - stuck almost everything until last pass- o.o.b.
Sam Shapiro - floor- slightly simpler tumbles, beautiful dance.
Mackenzie Caquatto- wobbly on beam- 1 fall and almost another on dismount.
Katelyn Clarke - pretty good on floor, not all that memorable though.
After Rotation 2 - 1 Hunter 29.45, 2 Zamarripa 29.05, 3 Shapiro 28.8, 4 Jetter 28.7, 5 Raisman 28.6, 6 Whitcomb, 7 Lee, 8 Larson

Rotation 3
Rebecca Bross- hard day on beam, sat down her dbl arabian dismount
Bridget Sloan- squeaks it on bars- a few tricky moment but made it
Ali Raisman- went for an amanar vault, under-rotated and fell. not even close.
Kytra Hunter- landed splat on her bars release.
Mattie Larson - good double yurchenko vault, maybe I will get my wish!
Cassie Whitcombe- good and tidy bar routine - a good day for her.
Sam Shapiro- bad landing on vault - likely done herself an injury (again)
Alicia Sacramone - 2 big vaults, handspring 1/2 and only a yurchenko full - but very well done
Vanessa Zamarippa- painful looking fall off beam, otherwise v. pretty
After 3rd rotation: 1 Whitcomb, 2 Jetter(-0.25) 3 Larson (-0.6) 4 Shapiro (even with the vt crash) 5 Raisman, 6 Lee, 7 Zam, 8 Macko

Rotation 4
Sam Shapiro apparantly hyperextended her knee back on vault. Not too serious but definitely the end of her competition today.
ASac says she is like a fine wine 'I get better with age' !!
Ali Raisman- a great bar routine by her standards.
Cassie Whitcomb - lookied like she had it in the bag until a fall on beam- open door.
Mattie Larson- great bar routine - I have my fingers crossed for her :-)
Vanessa Zamarippa- very expressive floor ex, lack difficulty but great to watch.
Amanda Jetter- no fall but some mistakes on beam, gonna be close...... 13.7

Mattie wins- yipee!!
Jetter 2nd, Caquatto 3rd, Whitcomb 4th

However - Larson's winning score was 57.1 - The Jrs wiped the floor with the Srs today

Anyway - its now 3am UK time --> bed time zzz

Classic- news, results, pics

The Junior session of the Covergirl Classic just wrapped up. The final standings at the top were

1 Jordyn Wieber 59.95 - no surprises there.
2 Katelyn Ohashi 59.1 - Woga's newest star
3 Kyla Ross 58.7
4 Sabrina Vega 57.25
5 Madison Kocian 56.2 (right- beautiful to watch)
6 Lexie Preissman 55.9
7 McKayla Maroney 55.65
8 Mackenzie Brannan 55.45
9 Gabrielle Douglas 55.25
10 Claire Boyce 55.15


Photos are appearing on the Gymblog and on Gymnastike. Seniors start in a little over an hour on Universal Sports. Full results go to USAgymnastics


Junior AA medal presentations


Last minute seniors preview- from the draw on the USAG page- Rebecca Bross, Sam Shapiro, Bridget Sloan and Sophia deJesus are just competing Bars and Beam. Alicia Sacramone is competing vault and beam.

My sensible pick for the all around would be Ali Raisman, although my sentimental fave is Mattie Larson.

Classic Time Again

Today is podium training for the US Covergirl Classic tomorrow.


Gymnastike has already posted several interviews and training videos, like this of Alicia Sacramone on balance beam

Word is World Vault Champ Kayla Williams has injured her foot and won't be competing, also Rebecca Bross and some of the other seniors that are already qualified for Nationals may not compete all-around.

Universal Sports is showing the event online tomorrow- whether that means it will be watchable here in the UK remains to be seen.

USA smiles

Cincinatti Gymnastics posted this photo of Team USA Junior and Senior gymnasts at the most recent national team camp. The girls are gearing up for the Covergirl Classic and Visa Championships.

From USA gymnastics

Team USA gymnasts at the Prom
I know Mattie and Sam are going on to college gymnastics
I think Bridget and Ivana are staying as elites.