gymnastics in Iceland

by site editor Rick McCharles

Update: I was invited by Gummi Brynjólfsson to attend a year end gymnastics performance at Gerpla, the biggest club in Iceland. They were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the club founding.

All 4 shows this weekend were sold out. I’ll post some video clips of the excitement soon.

The Reykjavík phone book (or catalog) is covered with gymnasts, front and back. These girls are European Champions in Team Gymnastics. They are kind of a big deal here at home.

I’m next headed north on the ringroad out of Reykjavík tonight, on the island for a couple of weeks hiking holiday.

summer gymnastics training

The Canadian Gymnastics Championships just ended. After a short break, coaches and gymnasts will be into SUMMER training. (My favourite phase of the year.)

Here’s some clips from summer training 2010 at Oakville Gymnastics, Ontario.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Oakville has over 20 girls in the elite stream, coached primarily by Lorne Bobkin, Kelly & Sue Manjak.

They have girls competing this summer Worlds trials for Netherlands, Spain and Canada. Also, Japan Cup 2011. And more. Busy, busy, busy.

THANKS to Kelly for staying after Nationals to share his coaching “system” at our invite only Level 4 coaching course. It was much appreciated.

He’s finally home, catching up with his 2 young sons.

Skamoto Takashi vexed

His attempt to set a new Difficulty world record at the trampoline world cup in Russia last week.

Click PLAY or watch him on YouTube.

Thanks TrampGuy.

Youna Dufournet – Bars

Youna Dufournet is one of the best swingers in the world today.

Click PLAY or watch her Bars on YouTube.

Two Shaposhnikova uprise variations. And a piked Voronin!

See more of her recent routines on Couch Gymnast.

Sabrina Gill – Look Me In The Eye

Click PLAY or watch her Bars on YouTube.

Sabrina has the best video profile online of any Canadian gymnast. CONGRATS.

USA T&T scholarships

The USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling program offers numerous scholarships each year to trampoline and tumbling athletes. This year, a total of $30K was awarded to deserving athletes.

Steven Gluckstein Jeff T. Hennessey $5,000
Savannah Vinsant George Nissen $5,000
Justin Hackett Jordan Bonne $5,000
Drew Collins Tyson Smith $2,500
Tanner Page Tyson Smith $2,500
Alaina Williams USA Gymnastics T&T $2,500
Alicia Powder USA Gymnastics T&T $2,500
Neil Gulati USA Gymnastics T&T $2,500
Justin Celeski USA Gymnastics T&T $1,500
Kristle Lowell USA Gymnastics T&T $1,500
Kristin Day USA Gymnastics T&T $1,500

details on USAG

CONGRATS

Savannah Vinsant at Youth Olympics

I was disappointed to see that Cirque du Soleil cash awards were not presented to Sr. Gold medalists & coaches this year at the Canadian Championships. Budget cuts, I understand.

first 3/1 back on a bike

NAILED it.

He said he trained 3 months for the stunt. Into a foam pit and onto an airbag set-up.

Jed Mildon became the first BMX rider to successfully complete a triple back flip. The 24-year-old New Zealander completed the stunt in front of an estimated 2,000 onlookers in his home town of Taupo, New Zealand, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Click PLAY or watch it on CBS.

http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/cbsnews_player_embed.swf