Worlds team...

[Flossyduck]

I feel that we are currently a dwindling number of UK chalkbucketeers, but I'd still be interested to hear what people's thoughts are on this one...

The UK seem to be leaving it until the last minute to announce the team and I know they have a lot of camps and trial comps going on at Lilleshall at the moment as well as various internationals for the main contenders.

My feeling, after the recent Dutch Invitational, is:
Rebecca Tunney - All Around
Ruby Harrold - All Around
Becky Downie - Beam and Bars
Kelly Simm - Vault and Floor

Rebecca Tunney isn't nearly at full strength, but still the best performing all rounder we have fit.
Ruby may prefer to go as a bars specialist, but she is our second all rounder and I don't think anyone else is really capable of making the AA final.
Hannah Whelan is just not really up there at the moment. She's usually our best shot on beam, but was outshone by Becky Downie and sending her to do all around would leave Becky or Ruby left out, which seems crazy.
With good results on beam along with a chance to medal on bars Becky Downie has to go surely?
Floor and Vault are difficult. Kelly Simm is a good vaulter, so-so on floor, but no-one else really stands much chance of making event finals.

Any thoughts?

 

[lovegymnastics]

All I know is that I saw Ruby Harrold's bar routine last week and I was completely amazed. She has such cool skils!!

 

[meeeshymoo]

The nominative list sent to FIG has Hannah rather than Kelly, so will be interesting to see.

Looks like several countries are struggling with teams, just read that Australia are not sending a team at all.

 

[Flossyduck]

Hmm. Hannah only made the beam final at the recent comp, and her score in that (although 4th) is unlikely to make a worlds beam final. Becky scored higher and as she is almost a lock for her bars, it makes sense to send her for beam too.
Kelly Simm made vault and floor finals and medalled in vault. So that combination works out better.
I don't think Hannah is competing anywhere near the level she has been capable of and she didn't even make the floor final, so I'm not really sure how they can justify sending her, although of course it would be lovely to see her there and hopefully doing well.

 

[meeeshymoo]

I agree, and I would like to see Kelly. Strangely I love her beam !

 

[Flossyduck]

Well it seems they've stuck with the nominative list. I haven't seen the breakdown of who's doing what and I'm struggling to work it out:

Assuming AA is Ruby and Rebecca...

Becky D would do bars and beam, as she has the highest difficulty and highest scores on both.
Hannah for vault and floor?? Doesn't sound right.
But Becky D can't do vault or floor

So if Hannah and Becky do AA then Ruby would do bars which makes a nonsense of sending Becky D.

Unless Hannah and Ruby do AA and then Rebecca would do vault and floor and Becky D bars and beam... which would work, but would they risk Hannah on AA?

Hopefully all will become clear. It's an experienced team anyway and should be interesting to see how competitive they can be.

 

[Faith]

I am presuming that there's things going on in training that we didn't see in the Dutch comp- I have a feeling Hannah may have done that as a warm up, with the plan being to peak for worlds.

I am not sure how it works-isn't it like the olympics where everyone competes AA (unless event specialists), top two (or three?) scores counting towards team, top 2 AA to AA final, top 6 apparatus to EF?

I think if Ruby hits her bar routine she has a fantastic chance.

Such a shame Gabby isn't fit.

 

[Flossyduck]

The worlds this year is an individual event, so no team comp. You have to state in advance whether the gymnasts are doing AA or individual events. Most teams have two AA's plus two event specialists to cover each piece.

I think if either Ruby or Becky D hit their bar routine they could medal, as both have similarly difficult and intricate routines. Becky's is up there with the hardest at the moment.

Unfortunately I don't really see where other medal chances might come from. It's only two weeks away.

It is a shame Gabby isn't fit and she has only just starting to run and jump again in the last week or so, so it will be a long road for her

I suspect next year will be a stronger year and will keep building from there.

 

[Flossyduck]

Forgot to say that they can only put forward three gymnasts on each piece in qualifying. So if you assume that two places will be taken up with the all rounders that only leaves one spot on each piece, which is why they normally send two AA and ten divide the other four pieces.
So if we have Rebecca and Ruby all round and Becky D did beam and bars, Hannah could only do floor and vault, which aren't her strongest at the moment. If Hannah and Ruby do AA the pieces would divide up more easily as Rebecca is strongest on floor and vault, but Hannah hasn't shown her all round form - not enough to qualify I don't think. Ruby has to do AA or it would be EITHER her or Becky D for bars, which makes no sense at all. So it's a bit of a puzzle!

 

[Jenny]

I can't decide if that team is boring or experienced. Definitely the expected team. Worlds doesn't interest me enough to think about who will do what piece as so many are out injured. Bars will be the highlight.

 

[Flossyduck]

^^^^^ Lol. I was trying to be positive about the team, but did also think it's a bit predictable and no room for any nice surprises. I'm really looking forward to having some of the young blood come through in the next couple of years to give the team some depth back.

However, I am really looking forward to the mens... they have a great team and lots of medal chances.

 

[Jenny]

I would really really like Becky D to medal though and I think she could. I love her bars and her beam.

With Gabby out there wasn't a huge amount of choice.

 

[SXS524]

Agreed, that was the team I was expecting! Will be interesting to see who competes on which pieces!
Anyone know if Niamh Rippin is still training btw?

 

[Jenny]

Not sure. Wish she had gone to do NCAA. Always liked her floor routines.

 

[Flossyduck]

I'm pretty certain that Niamh is not training at the moment. I don't know how permanent that situation is, but I suspect she has had enough

I also loved her floor, she is so powerful and confident with her tumbles and her dancing - like a different person when the music starts.

Becky D is also carrying an injury which stopped her competing at the world cup event. She pulled out after podium training. I really hope that doesn't mess things up for her.

Raer and Ruby, Hannah and Rebecca are all back at Lilleshall this week.

 

[SXS524]

Ahh that's a shame I loved her floor as well, I suppose missing out on 2012 must have been hard and its a long road to Rio! Would love to see her competing again.

Oh no! I was wondering whether something had happened to Becky as didn't hear anything about how she got on in Croatia whereas I heard Rebecca Tunney made floor finals. Would love to see Becky D medal on bars at worlds!