Just home from a LONG week at Nationals in Regina.
I had hoped to post more from the competition floor — but got too busy after being asked to be a commentator for local cable TV. (Fun, irreverent, unscripted, amateur.)
This was the biggest Nationals ever: 1100 athletes in Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline and Tumbling — all in one venue. The level of competition in Artistic was strong in Senior despite the new Code of Points. I was less impressed with the level of athletes below Senior though, of course, their are many individual superstars coming up. Especially some of the Jr. Artistic Women.
For many Artistic gymnasts, this was the first chance to see the best Rhythmic girls in the country. Gymnasts easily relate to Trampoline and Tumbling, but Rhythmic is a foreign culture. Personally, I really appreciate the artistry. It was a treat to see superstar Alexandra Orlando compete in person.
Super scorer Stu Cram has posted all results in all disciplines on his Gym Score Depot website.
For me this is the only way to find out what happened. (It was impossible to follow any one athlete or apparatus in the 14-ring circus.)
Some news stories on the competition are linked from the official meet website.
The best photos were taken by Grace Chiu.
And I have some (not very good) photos from the meet posted on Flickr.
Nationals 2008 will be hosted at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 