The Nutcracker Gymnastic Choreography Montage

I wanted to celebrate "Christmas Eve Eve" with one of my favorite traditions, "The Nutcracker". 

The US Women are Dancing to Mother Ginger's song, The Russian to the Russian Trepak and the Chinese to the Chinese Tea! Enjoy!

Eight Crazy Nights (of Gymnastics!)

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah. In celebration, I wanted to share a little song with you, in the stylings of Adam Sandler!

5 Eclectic Thoughts for a Chilly Saturday Afternoon

So I had some random things that I wanted to share today. Here are the 5 eclectic thoughts thoughts that I had on this chilly Saturday afternoon!

1. I spent yesterday afternoon with Gretchen Goerlitz, head coach at Lindenwood University. It really is going to be a phenomenal program which she has some magnificent plans for. I'll be covering many aspects of their program after the first of the year and will continue coverage at least through the end of their first season.

I've got to say, this is history! The gymnastics community should celebrate the fact that for the first time in 10 years, a new gymnastics program is emerging into the NCAA.

I'd love if you'd follow their Twitter & Facebook pages, so you can be part of the history that is being made! Write about it, Talk about it, Tweet about it, Blog about it! Let's celebrate the fact that there's another gymnastics program to enjoy!

2. I'm glad people liked the Test Event Video! (Yes, it was mine!) For the record, I adore Brandie Jay and all of the jokes in this video were all meant in good fun! :) I apologize if anyone was offended.

3. If you're not watching Ginnaste, you really should be. It's like Make it or Break it, but it's less awful, no one's pregnant and the show actually documents the lives of Italian National Team Members.

4. From tomorrow until January 1st, I'll be doing holiday blogs every day. Although "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear", I decided that blogging would be a better option. Keep your eyes out for these special blogs. All of the weekly blogs ("Day in the Life", "Fresh Face Friday" etc) will resume January 2nd.

5. You all are fabulous. I can't believe we've been live for under 2 months and the blog almost is up to 100,000 hits. Keep sending your ideas, suggestions and comments to me. Nearly all of the planned content (not news) has been influenced by your ideas. Keep on sending them, because I really couldn't do it without you. I would love to hear literally any ideas that you have.

The Roe-d to JO Nationals - Pre-Season Training Updates

This week, we'll look at Haylee Roe's routines for the 2012 Season!

On Vault, she's planning to compete a Yurchenko Full, which carries a 10.0 Start Value. She's hoping to upgrade to a 3/2 Yurchenko, which is also worth 10.0, but is eligible for a .1 bonus, if landed successfully.

Her bar routine includes a Giant 1/1, a shootover uphill & a double arabian dismount. She's hoping to add a tkatchev later in the season.

Haylee's vault and bar routine can be seen in the video below!

On beam, Haylee's routine will tentatively consist of the skills in the video below. We couldn't get a video  beam and floor before the season began, but I thought this could give you a general idea of the skills that she's planning. Her 2 leap series may be switched.

Haylee's floor will include quite a bit of difficulty with a Double Pike, a 2.5, and a front layout to full along with some fairly impressive dance skills. Even more impressive are Haylee's hopes for upgrades including a Full In, a Layout to Front Rudi and a 2.5 into a front tuck!

We'll check in with Haylee again in early January when she'll be competing in her first Mock Meet of the Season!

Read part 1 of the Roe-d to JO Nationals. 

Your Questions Answered - Will Bross Make the Olympic Team?

Nicole Asked: "I was just wondering what is your opinion on the chances of Rebecca Bross making the Olympic team? And just all around what you think of her."

(Property of Vanessa Steck)

I'll be honest when saying that Rebecca Bross is not my favorite gymnast, nor has she ever been. While her form, specifically on bars, has always bothered me, I do appreciate her determination and talent. Had you asked me if I thought that she'd make the Olympic Team a year ago, my answer would have been a definite "yes".

I wish that I could say that I still thought that Rebecca Bross would make the Olympic Team. I wanther to make the Olympic Team. If I had to give her a percentage, I’d say she has a 50/50 shot.

The primary reason right now, is of course, the knee injury which she sustained at the 2011 Visa National Championships. People have said that she may not have time to prepare before the Olympics. That’s not my only concern. I’m more worried about the fact that she may be pacing herself too quickly and not taking enough time off. (Becca was at camp in late November conditioning and working bars.) She could hurt herself a second time.

Bross is known for her reoccurring injuries. Back, foot, knee, it seems like the only person who’s injured more than Becca is Chellsie Memmel. While she had relatively healthy seasons in 2009 & 2010, in her current state, I, unfortunately, anticipate Becca being injured again.

If Becca is healthy in 2012, I truly hope that she can compete consistently. I’d suggest that she get rid of the Patterson dismount. As you’ll see in the video below (with highly dramatic background music), she's struggled with it for years. 

I can't see Marta putting up this kind of risk in an Olympic Team Final.

Her strong Bars and Floor could help her to earn a spot, but will it be enough?

Here are the 4 things that I think Becca needs to make the Olympic Team:

1. She needs to get back to 100% health wise. 

2. She needs to get rid of the Patterson dismount, or she needs to hit all of the time. 

3. Her Double Twisting Yurchenko needs to be consistent. (This is the least important of the 4)

4. She HAS to stay healthy for the rest of the season. 

Happy Birthday Alicia!

The lovely Alicia Sacramone turns 24 today! 

Happy Birthday Alicia!