Author: Rick Mc

At the 2012 Men‘s European Apparatus Finals.

Click PLAY or watch Smith on YouTube. (15.775)

Louis’ never had great extension. And he’s not got superior toe point nor split.

Click PLAY or watch Berki on YouTube. (15.958)

I much prefer Berki of those two great routines. It’s nice to see flared spindle, for one thing. He’s got the best pendular swing in the world, too.

Surprisingly, Smith took the media to complain that Berki’s start score was 0.2 too high.

Both were given start values of 6.9.

… I’m not sure whether Louis is correct. Weigh in, if you’ve an opinion on their start scores.

Update: Did Berki not complete his “full spindle in flair”? Top coaches say he didn’t. …

Louis Smith will be one of the biggest media darlings of the host team in London. This controversy is only going to generate interest in Men’s Gymnastics — and Pommels in particular. Love it.

We can use the attention even if it’s only once every 4yrs. 🙂

related – Europeans – BBC – How GB beat Russia at gymnastics

Skyriders Head Coach Dave Ross told us that there are 6 or 7 “Supertramps” he’s built, out in the wild. Those are GIANT trampoline beds that allow athletes to get more air time than on the FIG specs.

His own in Toronto is the best design, so far, he feels.

He’s back to a rectangular frame, at this point. Supporting the corners of such a big bed is an issue.

Click PLAY to watch Sam Sendel. This (updated) edit on YouTube from 4yrs ago is called 40 Different Triples and a Quadriffus on Supertramp.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Mortals find Supertramp height terrifying. If you want to know why Sam uses a throw mat on those skills, watch it through to the end — the crashes.

Dave’s company that sells the Supertramp is called Rebound Products.

Thanks Hal.

Chellsie is beloved by fans. A poll proves it.

There’s an online petition, promoted by @GymnasticsZone, where you can voice your opinion that Chellsie should be invited to the Visa Championships, keeping her in the pool of athletes eligible for selection to Olympic Team.

USA Gymnastics, USAG Olympic Selection Committee, Steve Penny: Allow Gymnast Chellsie Memmel to compete at the National Championships.

A very late candidate for the Team (like Nastia) Chellsie did not even get close to the reasonable requirement of a score of 14+ on at least one apparatus at the Secret.

Athletes expect to be declined when they don’t perform. But in this exceptional case there are a couple of good arguments for putting her through.

I’d love to see it happen. But I’m not holding my breath.

(via by Kayleigh Walsh on Facebook)

… tying for third on balance beam at the U.S. Classic. Her score of 14.9 was just 0.10 points behind reigning world champion Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman …

“She was so rock solid,” marveled Raisman, one of several competitors who stood and watched Liukin’s routine. “I felt like I was watching the 2008 Olympics she did so well.”

Next up is the U.S. championships, June 7-10 in St. Louis, where Liukin plans to add uneven bars — her signature event and the event she needs to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. National team coordinator Martha Karolyi said she’s already told Liukin she’d like to see a score around 16 — a mark that would make her competitive with the best bar workers in the world.

“No pressure,” Karolyi said, laughing. “Nastia is a big girl. She knows what it means.” …

NANCY ARMOUR – Liukin makes big impression in 1st meet back

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Who’s still eligible to qualify for the Canadian Olympic Team?

… The top eight women earned automatic invitations to a final Olympic selection camp to be held in Gatineau, Que., at the end of June, with up to four more to be added to the mix.

The five-woman Olympic team plus one reserve athlete will be named following the final selection meet.

The top three ranked gymnasts so far are Kristina Vaculik of Whitby, Ont., Victoria Moors of Cambridge, Ont., and Dominique Pegg of Sarnia, Ont.

Rounding out the top eight are: Ellie Black of Halifax, Jessica Savona of Oakville, Ont, Brittany Rogers of Coquitlam, B.C., Madeline Gardiner and Mikaela Gerber, both of Cambridge, Ont. …

Herald Sport

The process is far more complicated than this, a points system. But at least it seems that these 8 will go through to Camp.

We’re hoping Peng Peng is invited. I’ve not heard any update on prognosis since the MRI.

related – IG – WAG / MAG Apparatus Finals – Vaculik, Gafuik Continue Reign in Regina

How?

Click PLAY or watch Ellie Black on YouTube.

Incredible and unique first line. Yeesh.

full results (PDF)

Her coach, Keiji Yamanaka, was there at Nationals. But he likes assistant, former Olympian David Kikuchi on the Floor with Ellie. As a relatively ‘new’ international elite, Dave’s experience at the biggest competitions helps. He normally travels with Ellie.

Dave’s wife, former Olympian Crystal Kikuchi, choreographed that routine.

related – John Crumlish – IG Online Interview: Ellie Black (Canada)

Thanks Grace.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Taking aim at a record fourth straight Olympic medal in trampoline, Toronto’s Karen Cockburn tuned up with a vintage performance at the Canadian gymnastics championships on Saturday, winning her 13th women’s individual title with a personal best score.

“This was definitely a step towards London,” said Cockburn. “I feel like I’m right on track and I’m not getting too stressed out with the Games getting closer. I feel like I’m in a really great place right now. My routines are set and now I’m fine tuning trying to get more execution points and more flight time points.” …

read more on Gymnastics Canada

photo by Grace Chiu GraceClick on Facebook

Coach Dave Ross is still waiting to be certain that Rosie MacLennan will be good to go for Olympics. After a fall in training, she suffered some concussion symptoms. Can’t be too careful.

Canadian Olympians have two World Cup tune-up events before London.

Click PLAY or watch Karen’s 55.625 on YouTube.

Fans are angry that Chellsie Memmell was not petitioned through to Visa Championships.

Andy Thornton:

… On one hand, it just sounds brutally fair. After all, Martha and the rest of the selection committee stated upfront they were looking for 14’s, on average, from gymnasts vying to qualify for the upcoming nationals.

Chellsie competed just one event at today’s U.S. Classic in Chicago, and her two falls from beam plummeted her score to a disastrous 11.95. …

But on the other hand, it feels like a slap in the face. After all, Chellsie is one of the most successful, most valuable, and most tenacious gymnasts the U.S. has ever produced. She’s a former world all-around champion, world bars champion, world team champion, world beam medalist, and Olympic medalist. She’s proven time and time again her unmatched ability to return to top form after injury, and to compete brilliantly under unimaginable pressure …

Chellsie Memmel’s Petition Denied…Fair Or Ludicrous?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Marta loves Aly

Marta loves a girl who can hit consistently under pressure.

1. Raisman; 2. Ross; 3. Baker; 4. Vega; 5. Price; 6. Jay; 7. Brown; 8. Li.

@shannonmiller96:

Tough night for Li/Memmel. Great for Liukin/Wieber/Raisman/Finnegan/Ross/Maroney. Mixed for Douglas …

Examiner Quick hits: Senior women’s finals at the Secret U.S. Classic