Wednesday, April 20, 2011

This and That



Danell Leyva prepares for the 2011 season.

Mattie Larson dislocated her knee cap at the National Team Training Camp yesterday.  A trainer popped the knee cap back into place and she was taken for tests.  No tears or breaks were shown.  Mattie is expected to only be out for 2-3 weeks.  This is not Mattie's first injury at camp, and certainly not even the first knee issue she has ever had.

Bridget Sloan is not at camp.  Her recent surgery may keep her out of Nationals and Worlds.  She is thinking about petitioning to the selection camps if all goes well when she returns to training soon.

As expected, the delay has helped Voir prepare for Worlds.

Tokyo is wanting to hang on to the 2011 World Gymnastics Championships.  The Japanese Olympic Committee is asking the FIG to keep the event there as an inspiration to the people---because holding an event will mean so much when so many in the country lost their homes and livelihoods.  They may not even have electricity to watch the event or lights to read newspapers about it.  As always, OTAPAWJ, but wait a year.

Verona van de Leur plead guilty to extortion.  Last year, Verona photographed two people in a park she thought were having an affair and demanded 3,000 euros.  She has already spent 72 hours in jail following her arrest.  The prosecutor is seeking an additional 90 days in jail and 80 hours of community service.  Sentencing is May 3.  Next, Khorkina would like to try her for ever daring to claim she was robbed of the 2002 European All-Around Title.  Bitch, please.

Czisny is excited about Worlds.  She said the delay has helped her mentally start a new season.  Hey, whatever can help her mentally is something everyone should support.  As Suzanne Bonaly put it, "she will either be brilliant at Worlds and medal, or have an epic failure...like skating through jumps.  Rachael will stay upright and just incur at least two double-downgrades.  Eyes on that double axel."  Like most American skaters from big cities, Czisny learned Russian from all of the yelling going on with the ice dancers and later studied it in college.

A very Pro-Korea article on Yu-Na Kim's return to competitive skating.  She leaves for Worlds on Friday and eyes a second world title.  They point out that while many skaters' conditioning may be dropping, Yu-Na has benefitted from the delay and doesn't have the wear and tear of the other top skaters.  We can only pray that the extra month has helped Mao consistently rotate her Triple Flip and that Miki is ready for a good nap next week.

Video feature on skaters' preparation for Worlds (featuring clips of Ryan Bradley, Rachael Flatt and a glimpse of Caitlin Yankowskas.)

How Shannon Miller is using exercise as a springboard to recovery.

Photos from the Crimson Tide's National Championship portrait session.

14 comments:

  1. That's okay, Marta won't have the girls competing anywhere until friggin July, so this is the best time for Mattie to get injured!

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  2. Did anyone else notice that in that video feature on the skaters prepping for Worlds, we were once again subjected to Rachael doing that Betty Boop shit??

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  3. Danell Leyva's hot. That's all.

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  4. Any word on Shawn and Nastia's camp performances? Skills? Fitness level? Has Chellsie started going to camp? Or is she still avoiding it so Marta doesnt break her?

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  5. Chellsie is still not back at camp.

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  6. Ugh, waiting for Worlds is taking so many years off my life. I just want a Yuna/Mao/Alissa podium, pleaseeee let everyone skate beautifully!

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  7. I'm sure Yu-na will do well and I'm expecting her to do well but I'm really hoping for Mao. She's like the neglected stepchild so I'm going to pay more attention to her than Yu-na who's doing just fine. Yu-na's not like Mao. Mao needs more support to do well right now imo. I'm also really praying for Alissa. Having all three on the podium would be great. I'm hoping for Miki too just because.

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  8. I still find it hilarious that Danell Leyva and Jiang Yuyuan are supposedly the same age.

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  9. You forgot to mention the most interesting part of the Tokyo worlds update. If it is still on for them seven countries; which include France, Russia, and the US; will not send their gymnasts ergo we would not see those countries in the Olympics. That is certainly a new twist to the whole saga.

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  10. So we could potentially be looking at disqualifying ourselves from Worlds and the Olympics?!!!! Yowza. No way Marta/USAG will let that happen...will they???

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  11. Anon. @ 5:04- Yes. International Gymnast Magazine has the update on their site. I haven't been able to find out who the other four countries are. FIG's site isn't very helpful either. I'd like to think it would all get worked out somehow but who knows.

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  12. They'll never go through with Worlds without the top countries...they're just getting them to move Worlds. I wouldn't freak out about it, but some of you will.

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  13. Leyva's gym looks so crowded! I mean, there's a pole in the middle of the floor.

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  14. Leyva has discovered a new agility training regimen; tumbling around a metal pole.

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