A teleconference was held with Martha and the members of the World Team. They really only needed Martha and Alicia (maybe Bross and Sloan) as everyone else was "I'm so excited to represent the USA and blah, blah." Basically, not one of them had an original thought. We did learn that Rebecca Bross' issue is shin-related, but they will give her until the last minute to do AA. Martha is also hoping Sloan will do AA. Given the dozens of camps Bross and Sloan have attended, Martha should have a good read on where they can be 10 days from now. Listen to audio from Martha about strategy. Sloan was woefully unprepared for the 2009 US Classic, but won Nationals less than three weeks later. She is already competing all events and much could change by podium training. Martha discusses interesting new FIG rules regarding team rosters and lineup changes.
The FIG announced that they are suspending North Korea (both men and women) from the World Championships. This is important, as these worlds serve as the first qualification to the Olympic Games. North Korea will be unable to field full teams in London. It also dramatically improves Alicia Sacramone's chances of finally winning gold on vault. North Korea has five days to appeal the suspension.
Ryan Bradley is enjoying his life as a showgirl. He is still running through his old programs and is contemplating competing at Nationals because he is a sucker for punishment. He is putting any pairs aspirations on hold, which is good because the discipline usually requires one to skate with speed and a mastery of edges and skating skills.
Day 1 of JGP Dresden is compete. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva leads by just about 10 points. Christina Gao is 2nd. Felicia Zhang is fifth. Richard Dornbush is in first in the men's event.
Thomas Finchum is getting back into diving form.
Caroline Zhang told Universal Sports about her new technique and new attitude.
Florent Amodio's Exhibition from French Masters':
Blahtah posted new vids.
Gael Mackie's new floor routine:
Nansy Damianova's new floor routine:
Why suspend the North Korean men? Wasn't the issue with the birth certificates on the women's side?
ReplyDeleteI will CRY if Bross can't do AA.
ReplyDeleteSkating skills aside, Bradley would be in excellent contention for Worlds if he showed up at Nationals in shape and ready. I hope he goes for it. He can definitely improve on his 18th place Worlds finish.
ReplyDeletefunny, I'll cry, too, if Bross can't to AA. Cry tears of joy.
ReplyDeleteLike her gymnastics or not, Bross brings a lot to the table and is the U.S.'s top AA'er. It would be a huge shame if she had to be limited in Team and AA competition.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone else can look past Ryan's supposed showmanship and notice the problems with his skating. I don't why some are crazy about his skating. It's obvious why he's not a top skater even with a quad. His jumps are weird looking for a reason...his technique and skating skills are a negative.
ReplyDeleteI know it's fun to hate on blahtah, but that reminded me nothing of EHH. It seemed generic like any other fx done to music along those lines. Felt a little Sacramone/Center Stage/Stripper Poleish to me if anything.
ReplyDeleteBut, man, that music is awful. Awful, awful, awful.
Then maybe you should rewatch EHH's routine from last year. E had some sleezy moments in her routine too... body roll and floor work much?
ReplyDeleteA few things, AJ:
ReplyDelete1) The suspension of N. Korea is BS. If they're suspended China should be too.
2) What you said about Ryan Bradley is true. Everyone knows it, but no one wants to say anything about it because of last year's nationals, and how likable the kid is.
3) Caroline Zhang, if nothing else, has improved her interviewing and PR skills by miles.
4) What is UP with the new background and interface? Not a fan, i LOVED how your old one bespoke a big FU to modern web tech in general. Bring it back!
I'm not a fan of Bross' style of gymnastics in general (can't believe she's a product of WOGA, well maybe with all that front tumbling they're trying to turn her into a miniProd...) BUT I would feel very badly for her if injury limited her participation. If people are going to win or lose, you want it to be based on their performance, not something out of their control like an injury. That's just bad sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteOT, but still: Caroline Zhang needs to chop off a good 12" off of her hair. There's long and there's scraggly long. She's falling in the latter.
ReplyDeleteLol, yeah she body rolled but I feel like that's pretty much ALL this chick did.
ReplyDeletei mean, compared to greg's normal choreo, this isn't as bad as it could be. it is rather unoriginal, though.
ReplyDeletePhoof, I agree. No reason to wish injury on Bross. It will be completely sad if she can't compete the AA because she really did look good at Nationals.
ReplyDeleteI want a Bross-Mustafina showdown in the AA!
ReplyDeleteThat is the scariest picture of Marta Karolyi I've ever seen.
ReplyDelete@ Mister. Let's be real, when it comes to coreography Mackie wipes the floor with EHH...
ReplyDelete