Ashton Locklear won gold with this gorgeous routine. She was originally awarded a 6.1 difficulty score but after an inquiry, it was raised to a 6.4. Her final score was a 14.975.
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http://www.gymnastike.org/embed/NzQyNzUwODUz?related=1&autoplay=false
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Ashton’s been astonishingly consistent. Her ticket to Worlds is pretty much a lock at this point.
She’s improving, as well.
Recall her 9.1 over-scored execution routine from the Secret? (VIDEO)
Today’s Final is far cleaner, though she still has conspicuous deductions.
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Let’s assume there are 2 Chinese gymnasts and 2 Russian gymnasts in the World’s Bar final.
Four spots are left open?
Will Ashton get one of those?
It’s certainly possible. There will be quite a few gymnasts with the goal to qualify for the Bar final in Nanning. The top 2 American routines will be in the fight.
But … sooner or later judges are going to stop rewarding routines composed mostly of Shaposh variations and Stoop Stalders. Truly harder routines will be scored higher, IF the gymnasts hits. Two somersault releases or more. Rebecca Downie (VIDEO), for example.
Gymnasts who use a wide variety of types of skills to achieve their start score should be rewarded. Nastia in Beijing, for example.
FIG WTC should count only 1 Shaposh variation in the next Code. Perhaps devalue the Stoop Stalder, as did MAG years ago.
Jason MacDonald had an important comment:
As she keeps performing the way she is and gaining that confidence in her routine I think she could be a major player on bars at worlds. In terms of difficulty she has skills she is not using and this routine probably will be different come 2015. Check out her Ricna at 3:38 of Everest’s Workout Wednesday.
Jason tells that Ashton trains plenty of routines with the 2nd release. I’m hoping she’ll use that when she needs it. Possibly in the Worlds Bar Final. 🙂
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