The 2010 Elite Gym Massilia was a showcase of future European and North American stars. Here are my picks for 10 routines that shouldn't be missed:
1. Brianna Clark (CAN), floor: Clark, who trains at Gymnix in Montreal, won the women's open division at Massilia and qualified for floor finals. What's notable about this routine is it's superb choreography and Clark's attention to detail as she dances. This set is an example for all young gymnasts. Watch it here.
2. Lisa Verschueren (BEL), floor: This is a routine that the great Lilia Podkopayeva might have performed early in her career. Again, a terrific work of choreography. With its dynamic, interesting movements, this floor routine really stood out. Who said artistry was dead? Watch it here.
3. Johanna Dejardin (BEL), beam: A focused and well-performed routine from this strong young Belgian. Very much worth watching. Wtach it here.
4. Tierra Exum (AUS), vault: Two strong Omelianchiks from this Aussie talent. Vault is perhaps the one event team Australia still has some ways to go on, and is she continues progressing like this, Exum will be one of their strongest on this event. Watch vault one here, and vault two here.
5. Doriane Thobie (FRA), floor: At 14, Thobie is perhaps the youngest gymnast ever to throw an Arabian double pike on floor. Come to think of it, how many gymnasts have we seen do that skill? I can think of only two others -- Alicia Sacramone (in 2006) and Kytra Hunter (in 2009-2010). (Cheng Fei worked it but never competed it.) Enjoy the tumbling, enjoy the choreography -- Thobie really looks like she's having fun with this performance. Watch it here.
6. Georgia-Rose Brown (AUS), floor: You could be excused for looking at the tall, elegant Brown and thinking, "no doubt about it, she's a twister." But you'd be wrong. In this exercise she does two tumbling passes where she flips twice in the air. That aside, Brown's presentation and dance are just incredible. Watch it here.
7. Maartje Ruikes (NED), beam: The Dutch are going to be a force on beam within the next few years. They already have Tess Moonen, who won bronze on the event at the 2010 Junior European Championships. Ruikes, who bears a slight resemblance to a young Shawn Johnson up on the beam, is another exceptional talent on this event. Watch it here.
8. Irina Paun (ROM), beam: Paun has made a name for herself very recently. Her reputation will continue to grow if she keeps performing like she did at Massilia. Watch it here.
9. Nikki Chung (AUS), bars: A strong routine featuring a very cool -- and underused -- transition from low to high: a clear hip hecht. Chung does it from a bail to the low bar. Watch it here.
10. Caterina Barloggio (SUI), beam: A calm, mature routine from one of Switzerland's impressive young talents. Well done. Watch it here.
Photo galleries!: Swiss gymnastics photographer $tefan Wurzer of Gymnastics United was in Marseille for Elite Gym Massilia. Galleries of his images, featuring almost every competitor in Marseille, can be found here and here, or by clicking the photo of Claire Martin of Australia doing a switch ring leap above and off to the left.
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Comments
I think the clear-hip hect transition is under-used because it is worth comparatively little (only a C in this COP, unless that's been changed) for quite a lot of risk (it's hard, for example, to see the bar before catching and, therefore, very easy to fall).
Incidentally, I wonder if it's biomechanicaly possible to do a free-hip full up to the high bar. Certainly no less risky, but it could be totally cool.
Thanks, Melanie! Didn't realize the clear hip hecht was only worth a C (no wonder nobody does it). A clear hip hecht full...that would be SO cool! -- Blythe
Beth Tweddle does an Arabian double pike in the floor routine that brought her the European (2009, 2010) and World (2009) gold medals. She also did the skill at Worlds 2010. Actually, in her case it's even more: indirect connection with 1 1/2 twists.
Aly Raisman also competed the Arabian double pike at this year's VISAs or Covergirl Classic (can't remember exactly which one). And of course, there's Daiane dos Santos, the skill is named after her.
Sorry, Beth connects the tucked Arabian....just ignore the connection part :)
Sorry but this is not Sophie Scheder on floor, it's Lisa Verschueren from Belgium. ;)
Thanks for the catch, Nanou! I will change it immediately. -- Blythe
I think Chelsie Memmel once competed a piked double arabian... can anyone verify that?
KP, I think you're right about Memmel. She did one at 2008 trials, if I remember correctly.
Jade Barbosa, Lisa Marzan, Kylie Stone, Darlene Hill, Randy Stageberg, Lauren Mitchell, Corrie Lothrop and Kristina Pravdina also competed a Dos Santos, which makes it not very uncommon.
Mostepanovafan has a montage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55a2gKU9rBw
I think Jade Barbosa was 12 year old when she threw a double arabian piked in competition (Brazilian Nationals 2003).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgAD-AcFcuQ&feature=related
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