Blythe Lawrence has outdone herself. These are the most entertaining and interesting podium notes I’ve seen her post. She’s bilingual. That helps a lot in Quebec.
10:33 a.m.: Taking a first look at Olympic hopeful Anysia Unick, who is currently chalking up for bars. After injury kept her out of competition for the second half of 2011, the future Georgia Gymdog looks fit and healthy … Absolutely beautiful full turn to Pak, and a full to blind on high bar.
… full bar routine was absolutely stunning. Best thing seen yet in Montreal, with the possible exception of young Maria Bondareva of Russia on beam. Unick’s also got a Jaeger and combines her full turn to blind to immediate double front, which she stuck cold. She’s also got a sky-high Tkatchev, whoa. That’s Gabrielle Douglas high. Courtney Kupets high.
12:42 p.m.: Caught up with former Olympian David Kikuchi, who is here coaching Ellie Black.
David marvels at the depth of the Canadian women’s program this quad. Unlike other Olympic years, he said, when the Canadian women scraped a bit for healthy gymnasts, 2012 is the year when you have gymnasts like Victoria Moors, Brittany Rogers and Christine Lee, who are gunning for Olympic event finals on their best events. And like 12 other women who are at a high enough level to contend for Olympic team spots. They’re all pushing each other. …
Speaking of Dave Kikuchi, he tells me that his wife, 2000 Olympian Crystal Gilmore, is expecting their second child. …
1:24 p.m.: Man, that Sabrina Gill on floor can really dance. She had a good deal of dance training before focusing on elite gymnastics, and it serves her well in a very fun new routine, jazzy with vocals, from new coach Elvira Saadi. Lots of fun choreo there.
Gill’s also a little taller and has a more elegant look. …
Sabrina …, cheered on by her mom in the stands, executed a 1.5 to double tuck.
2:05 p.m.: Peaking at the right time. Never seen Peng Peng Lee look better in her career. It’s evident all over the gym, but especially on her tumbling.
2:11 p.m.: Serious tumbling on floor: Lee just did a 1.5 through to Arabian double front. Ooh. That’s a nice pass. She’s right where she needs to be with it, too. Also saw a triple twist from Gerber, a full in tuck from S. Colussi-Pelaez and an Arabian double front from Savona. My my, the Oakville girls can tumble well…
Continue reading on Examiner.com Quick hits: Podium training at Gymnix, day two
I’m thinking Peng Peng is the favourite. And will win if she stays on Beam. … That’s far from certain as she trains as much as 6.6 difficulty.
And she definitely plans to try out some very difficult upgrades.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 