She has the perfect name – Jacki Bender.

Click PLAY or watch Jacki on YouTube.

Clearly Jacki had the skills of an Acrobatic gymnast. … We should look for Beam specialists in future with this skill set.

(via 80sgymfan on IG forum)

At our Vegas clinic, interim Head Coach Dana Brass brought in a (former gymnast) circus handstand specialist to work with all of the older gymnasts.

How’s that going? …

The third FIG Academy for Acrobatic Gymnastics was hosted in Montreal (CAN) during the first week of August at the magnificent facilities of the Cirque du Soleil and the nearby National Circus School, which is located across the street.

This Academy was attended by 15 coaches from three federations: Brazil, USA and Canada – a somewhat disappointing number considering that this was a world-wide invitation. …

In the meantime, the Academy Programme continues with a Spanish language Academy for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Brazil and one for Aerobic Gymnastics in Finland in the coming two weeks and a French language Academy for Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics currently finishing in Senegal.

FIG – Canada hosts third ACRO Academy

Shout out for Hardy Fink, the Director of FIG Education & Academy Programmes. I think he’s doing a great job of building out coach education for all disciplines worldwide.

There have been some initiatives.

For example, Cirque pays a cash prize to Senior gold medalists at the Canadian Championships.

Now something new. In 2008 a contractual agreement was signed with Cirque provinding support to the F.I.G. Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee.

Some coaches are financially supported to train athletes in their own gyms. Scholarships were made available to active athletes.

And now Cirque is providing some support to gymnasts working together in a camp in the Ukraine, in preparation for a future world tour with “Quidam”.

I don’t know the details. All this I got from an interview with Bernard Petiot, Cirque du Soleil Vice-President Casting and Performances, at the World Acrobatic Gymnastics championships in Warsaw.

… Adam Buckingham, Adam McAssey, Alex Uttley, Jonathan Stranks won the men’s four title at the World Acrobatic Gymnastic Championships while Douglas Fordyce and Edward Upcott scooped the men’s pair gold.

Coach Neil Griffiths, the mastermind behind Spelbound’s reality TV success, could barely contain his joy at the results in Wrozlaw. …

read more – More Than The Games

FIG has great coverage on World’s. A couple of links:

• Russia, Ukraine, Britain show top talent!

• TV presence at ACRO worlds

This video is from (I think) the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain competition in Paris.

Hand to hand circus act by Sébastien Soldevila et Mimi Bonnavaud.
(The 7 Fingers)

Numéro de main à main par Sébastien Soldevila et Mimi Bonnavaud (Les 7 doigts de la main)

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

This is something like La La La Human Steps meets Acrobatic Gymnastics. Wow!

Mimi is like an acrosport version of Louise Lecavalier.

(Linked by senior Cirque coach Tom Otjes on Facebook.)

related – SFGate backgrounder (2007) on Sebastian Soldevila and Emilie (Mimi) Bonnavaud.

Great news. Acrobatic Gymnastics is a terrific sport.

The country’s best acrobatic gymnasts are heading to Kissimmee, Fla., for the 2010 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships, July 24-28, at the Silver Spurs Arena.

The Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships showcase more than 500 of the nation’s top and up-and-coming acrobatic gymnasts, from the junior and senior elite to Junior Olympic Levels 5-10. …

read more – USAG

Top U.S. acrobatic gymnasts will perform demonstrations and exhibitions during the 2010 Visa Championships, Aug. 10-14, in Hartford, Conn.

Britain’s Got Talent’s Spelbound have seen their earnings soar since winning Simon Cowell’s TV talent contest.

Sources told a Sunday newspaper that the gymnastic troupe are now earning £2,000 per minute for performing their dazzling routines.

Insiders told the News of the World that Spelbound are currently charging £30,000 ($44,180) for a 15-minute corporate performance. …

Britain’s Got Talent: Spelbound are earning big money

If you somehow missed seeing the popular YouTube clip of acrobatic gymnasts winning Britain’s Got Talent, click here.

They are splitting the £100,000, giving 15% to their gym. Nice.

The seven boys and six girls (from age-12 to 24) are members of Spelthorne Gymnastics Club of Ashford, Surrey. The spelling of the troupe’s name is a reference to the club.

Best case scenario, Acrobatic Gymnastics could be added as a demonstration sport for the 2012 Olympics.

… Simon (Cowell) said: “On live TV, that was one of the most astonishing things I’ve ever seen. In Olympic terms, it would have won a gold medal.” Those words may be prophetic.

Olympics chiefs, who introduced medals for BMX bike riding at Beijing 2008, are discussing including another new event for 2012.

Spelbound insist acrobatic gymnastics is a better candidate than skateboarding, which is being considered. …

I doubt that will happen. Skateboard is in. They want Shaun White.

Certainly Spelbound will get a feature spot in the London Olympic opening ceremonies, though.

Susan Boyle who finished second on the same show in the past went on to sell millions of CDs.

But how does Simon Cowell monetize these kids?

On the other hand, they’ve already been approached with offers from Las Vegas and even R’n'B star Usher.

Congratulations once again to Adam McAssey, Adam Buckingham, Alex Uttley, Jonathan Stranks, Douglas Fordyce, Edward Upcott, Nicholas Illingworth, Katie Axten, Leighanne Cowler, Lauren Kemp, Hollianne Wood, Abigail Ralph and Amy Mackenzie.

Like their Facebook page.

CONGRATULATIONS.

Click through to watch their winning performance.

_____

The group have come away with a prize of £100,000 ($144,500 USD / $175,500 AUD / €120,000) and a performance at the Royal Variety Performance.

Question?

Is this good for Acrobatic Gymnastics worldwide?

Certainly.

These kids may turn “pro”. But hundreds or thousands of others will be inspired to take up the formerly little known sport. My own gym, Altadore, just started Acrobatic Gymnastics this year.

Watch some of that troupe compete in the British Men’s 4 Championships 2010.

(via Full Twist)

… Spelbound was one of the most popular acts discovered during the Britain’s Got Talent 2010 auditions. Now, after an incredible performance, the talented gymnasts have become the first act voted through to this Saturday’s live final. …

Click PLAY or watch their most recent set on YouTube.

… Simon Cowell was also impressed telling Spelbound: “I have never seen anything like this in this country… I agree with the guys, this is what this show is all about it’s finding undiscovered talent and that’s what you are. Absolutely super.”

Spelbound first act through to Britain’s Got Talent final

(via GymNiceTic)

I keep hearing that Acrobatic Gymnastics is dying, their best athletes departing for the circus too soon. But this success should rejuvenate the sport, at least in the U.K.