Love Things French....

Here is a routine with a certain "je-ne-sais-quoi" that I have watched with a melting heart:




Actually, I think I know quite clearly which two things move me in this exercise and one is, obviously, the level of technical mastery. Strong work: look the first pirrouette, and look at the risky catches.

Unsurprisingly, what I enjoy even more is the artistic aspect, not fully developped, yet, showing through in a subtle way. In other words, the gymnast is not fully "living" the music, not in every movement, but the parts where she does put more expression are touching and beautiful. I think the opening could use some more "flare," for lack a of a better word.

French music demands a very strong personality, though coupled with an unimposing gracefulness. Many gymnasts, including groups, have excelled at interpreting it, but it takes work, and I also think it takes time for the emotions to weave into the routine smoothly. You can look detached, you can look less dynamic, and you can look, not unelegant, but somehow not harmonious, if you don't really get deeply into it emotionally. Clearly, this gymnast is on her way to "filling" and also "feeling" the music, a marvelous task. Once she does, it should feel both dramatic and bittersweet.

Another routine to watch with French music and a vocal is Sara Staykova's ribbon where, eventually, the goal may become to "flirt" with the audience:



I wonder how Ganna Rizatdinova would flourish in a similar musical choice. She might make a better French lady than she makes a Carmen. A less loud,yet absolutely gripping charm.

First World Cup for 2013: Amazing!

I watched Marc's livestream of the Tartu, Estonia, World Cup event and I am wowed, just wowed. First of all, the elegant Ukranian Ganna Rizatdinova deserved to win. I really enjoyed her hoop routine:




Ganna's clubs are also wonderful but I think she can work on her apparatus technique. Melitina Staniouta from Belarus, who is one of my favorite gymnasts of this century, made a big error with ball and still finished second.

But to me this tournament had three new stars with just amazing potential: Marina Durunda, Lala Yusifova (both from Azerbaijan) and the new Israeli gymnast, Nataly Mendelson. Mendelson has a lot of control in her pivots and she did a joyful, confident, and dynamic ribbon routine. Marina Durunda is very elegant and clean and shows some nice risks. Lala Yusifova is an old favorite of mine, an abolute treasure. I wrote about her here and here. I am awaiting videos from this event and will share them.

In the meantime, you can watch the apparatus finals on this livestream: http://www.gymnasticsdvd.de/live/ tomorrow at 15:00 Estionan time, which is 8 a.m. for me on the U.S. East Coast :-)