Karolyi Ranch documentary

Somebody posted a copy of the NBC documentary on YouTube.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (46min)

Balance Beam Situation posted a very funny recap – AMERICAN HORROR STORY: THE RANCH. 🙂

It originally aired on NBC on June 24th before the first night of the P&G Women’s Championships. For some reason NBC can’t find a way to sell shows like this internationally.

Marta Karolyi and the Ranch get too much credit for the success of the American women’s program. USAG should move training camps around the U.S. Or pick a more accessible location – Colorado Springs, for example.

related – Nancy Armour: Life after Martha Karolyi looms for U.S. women

Trampoline & Tumbling Gyms

Long and narrow.

Check the new facility in Cambridge, Ontario. Head Coach Denis Vachon.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gym fans last night …

Heart this photo on Twitter. 🙂

Gabby – Bars

Very smart routine.

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

choosing the American Olympic team

Day 1 was an excellent competition. Fast and exciting. The USA has incredible gymnasts right now.

Here are the results.

One scenario is to take the top 3 AA. Even though Laurie was overscored day 1, I’d still call her top 3 AA. Especially for her Bars / Beam.

Simone Biles 61.850
Laurie Hernandez 60.850
Aly Raisman 59.950

Laurie

In that scenario you need choose who could help in the 3-up, 3-count team final. Here are the top 3 on each apparatus from day 1.

VAULT top 3
Simone
McKayla
Aly

BARS top 3
Ashton & Madison
Gabby

BEAM top 3
Laurie
Simone
Ragan

FLOOR top 3
Simone
Aly
Laurie

Despite Gabby’s poor meet day 1 – and the surprise that Christian would coach her on the floor instead of Kittia – she’s still got a good shot. You could argue to have Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian #4 and #5.

Gabby

Kocian
more photos

Marta famously likes consistency, however. She wants athletes who can hit routines over and over in training. Every day. Gymnasts like Aly Raisman.

At least 2 of the alternates should be strong AA competitors who could step in on any apparatus in case of injury / illness to someone on the team. They’ll train at a Gym in Rio until the very last minute.

new skill – Biles turn on Beam

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter. 🙂

Wolf turns are over-valued. I’d love to see fewer.