The American Cup being held this weekend in Greensboro, NC is one of the most prestigious international invitationals and features many of the world's top all-around gymnasts. Past American Cup winners include some of the sports most legendary names: Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton, Peter Vidmar, Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Danell Leyva, and Jordyn Wieber.

 

What to look for at the 2014 American Cup?
 

 

The American Women

 

Both Elizabeth Price and Brenna Dowell are last minute additions to the American Cup roster but are both more than capable of winning the title; however, this will not be an easy win for the American with a strong international field ready to snap the USA’s winning streak.

 

Elizabeth “Ebee” Price 

 

During her  first year as a  senior elite in 2012, Price shocked the world finishing fourth in the all around at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a breakout performance. She concluded her 2012 season with thrilling victories at the Stuttgart and Glasgow World Cups, winning all around titles in both events. Price struggled with injuries for the majority of the 2013 season and was forced to pull out of the 2013 American Cup but was still named as an alternate to the  2013 USA World Championship Team. 

 

In December 2013, Price won her third straight World Cup title in Stuttgart, Germany and placed second in the Glasgow World Cup the following week even after suffering an uncharacteristic fall on her Amanar. The Amanar is key to Price's success this week in Greensboro.

 

There is immense pressure on Price who is replacing 2012 Olympic Champion Kyla Ross. If all goes well and hits her routines, Price could very well be your next champion and would give Martha Karolyi something to think about when she is picking the World Team later on this year. 
 

Redemption for Brenna Dowell
It was only this week that Brenna Dowell was added to the roster, replacing reigning World All Around and floor champion Simone Biles who withdrew with a shoulder injury. This is an exciting opportunity for Dowell who was previously devastated at the World Championships when it was decided at the last minute that she would not compete because McKayla Maroney was promoted to an all around competitor. World Championship rules only allow three athletes from each country to compete on each event so Dowell became an alternate.

 

Dowell is an exciting gymnast to watch with huge skills and unique combinations including a Church release on bars, an Amanar on vault and a massive front handspring front double pike on floor. Prior to her disappointment at Worlds, Dowell was having a breakout season placing 3rd place in the all around at the 2013 City of Jesolo Trophy, Secret U.S. Classic, and the P&G Championships. A win at the American Cup could go a long way to erasing the heartache from Belgium and would put Dowell on a long list of gymnastics legends who have won the American Cup. 

 

USA National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi will be keeping a close eye on both Dowell and fellow American teammate Elizabeth Price in hopes that one of these woman carry on the on the Team USA’s winning streak for this event. 

 

All Eyes on the Italians

The Italians have sent two of their best to the Greensboro with the legendary Vanessa Ferrari and star Carlotta Ferlito. However, the sole focus in Greensboro is not just on the Italian’s gymnastics as the gymnastics community is still buzzing over the controversy at this year’s World Championships where Carlotta Ferlito made some very questionable comments regarding American Simone Biles. The fact the the Italians are in Greensboro combined with the Americans competing in the upcoming Jeselo meet suggest that all is well again between the two countries, but you can bet that few athletes want to win the American Cup as badly as the Italians. 

 

Carlotta Ferlito is a massive celebrity in Italy known not just for her gymnastics but also for starring in an MTV reality show based on her gymnastics talents. Ferlito has something to prove in Greensboro after all of the negative attention in Belgium.

 

Italian superstar Vanessa Ferrari is an anomaly in the sport of gymnastics astonishingly better than ever at age 23 . The 2006 World Champion and two time Olympian, has been the leader of Italy’s team for years. While most gymnasts’ careers end in their teens, Vanessa Ferrari is still taking on the world at 23 and is in possibly the best shape of her life.  Ferrari won a silver medal on floor exercise at this year’s world championships, her first world medal since winning the all around in 2006 in Aarhus and has been one step off the podium so many times in the past. You can expect Ferrari to come out swinging at the American Cup so keep an eye on her unique skills, leotards, and charismatic floor routine. This may be the “American Cup” but all eyes will be on the Italians. 
 

*Routine to Watch: Do not miss Ferrari’s floor routine

 

Victoria Moors

2012 Olympian Victoria Moors comes to Greensboro with huge skills and high expectations. At the 2013 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium,  Moors successfully landed her laid out double twisting double layout during the All Around Finals. After attempting the skill and falling during the qualifications, Victoria had one final shot at getting the skill named for her. With the pressure on, she stuck it cold.   "The Moors" is in the FIG Code of Points and has been valued as an I skill (0.90). 

Routine to watch: Floor. She masterfully blends compelling choreography with powerful tumbling, mounting with an astonishing double twisting double layout. 
 

 

 

Gymnastike will be on-site in Greensboro this week with complete coverage of the 2014 AT&T American Cup. Gymnastike gives you the first look at Dowell, Price, and the international competitors with podium training videos and watch our updates at final competition commencing on Saturday, March 1 at 11:30 AM, ET.