Mexico, Lopez win Central American & Caribbean Games

1. Mexico
2. Cuba
3. Colombia

1. Jessica Lopez 55.633
2. Elsa Garcìa 54.898
3. Yesenia Ferrera 54.366

Lauren has full prelim results with commentary:

As expected, Mexico came out victorious in the team final, though it wasn’t an easy task. The Cuban silver medalists finished less than four tenths behind the home squad, an unprecedented result considering their relative lack of experience on the international stage. The team from Colombia earned bronze.

The all-around was a battle between gold medalist Jessica Lopez of Venezuela, silver medalist Elsa Garcia of Mexico, and bronze medalist Yesenia Ferrera of Cuba. …

Mexico, Jessica Lopez Golden at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

J Lo competes a lot. And occasionally hits 4/4. I love that a 28yr-old is still working new tricks. Whip to 3 ½, for example.

2017-2020 MAG Code of Points

At Worlds FIG MTC Chair Steve BUTCHER facilitated a committee round table to brainstorm ideas to improve the Men’s Code.

I include here a few samples of the discussion.

Question:

Are there a set of “first” or fundamental principles that underlay the Codes and by which the TCs frame discussions regarding specific issues or decisions, and if so, what are they?

Safety, Fair Play, Universality

Question:

Can we move from 5 to 4 element groups per exercise?

Idea for P Bars:

Combine the Long Swing and Underswing element groups (the Long Swing group is very difficult for taller gymnasts)

Idea for H Bar:

Add a requirement for flight elements with salto over the bar

Download a copy of the Powerpoint Presentation to see the rest.

I’m happy to see the committee so open minded. Let’s wait and see what changes end up being made. The rules for Horizontal Bar and Floor Exercise are dreadful now. Almost any change would be for the better.

KIM-Nellie-BUTCHER-Steve

… The WTC and MTC both met in sunny and warm Cancun (MEX) for their final meetings of the year from 5-10 November. Each committee met individually, as well as jointly …

Let’s hope they jointly came up with ways to IMPROVE the Codes.

related – FIG FLACK – WOMEN’S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS NEWSLETTER #36, November 2014

via Nico

World Cup skiing to try air bags

… with a radical air bag system being approved for use in World Cup and lower level races beginning in January, Alpine skiing could get a lot safer. …

The system — which entails putting an air bag in the neck area of athletes’ back protectors — was developed by Italian manufacturer Dainese in coordination with the FIS. It inflates when skiers lose control and are about to crash. …

AP

The trick is to find a system that protects on crashes, but does not limit mobility during the race.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

(via Outside)

Bars routine – MAKITA animation

Kovacs to Geinger. At the end of the routine, to build drama. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

via Nico on GymFever2012

Roxana Popa 14.9 Bars

Carlota Bardera posted a wrap-up on the 2014 Blume MemorialReport and Results. With video links.

1 Roxana Popa 57.100
2 Marta Pihan-Kulesza 54.950
3 Ana Filipa Martins 52.650

Click PLAY or watch the Bars routine on YouTube.

Romania would certainly love to have Roxana apply to compete for them. 🙂