Eight New Skills in Women’s Gymnastics

Pictured: Aliya Mustafina
 

The International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) has announced eight new elements that have been approved by the FIG Women’s Technical Committee and added to the Code of Points. One of these elements was awarded from the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and the other seven were from the 2014 World Championships. There is one new skill on bars, five on beam, and two on floor. The eight elements come from gymnasts from eight different countries. The skills range in values from A to E. 

 

Uneven Bars

 

Karla Retiz of Mexico successfully performed a high to low bar release. This skill is like a bail but with an extra pirouette after catching the low bar. She executed this skill at Worlds and it was awarded a D value.

 

Balance Beam

 

A B value element in the “holds and acrobatic non-flight” section of the code of points was added after Tutya Yilmaz of Turkey's successful performance at the Youth Olympics. Yilmaz started on the beam in a side straddle, rolled upside down grasping the beam, and finished in a sitting position. This skill was previously in the code of points from starting in a split position. 

 

Angelina Kysla and Yana Fedorova, both of Ukraine, performed a mount that was awarded an A value. This mount includes a jump with a 3/4 turn to finish in a half split position sitting on the beam.

 

There were two other mounts approved that were both awarded B values. Maartje Ruikes of the Netherlands performed an side aerial mount that ends in a front support on the beam. Sarah Beck of Ireland performed a mount that starts with her back towards the beam. She then jumps backwards, straddling over the beam, and ending in a front support. 

 

The final beam skill was an acro element performed by Germany’s Pauline Schaefer and awarded an E value. This skill was basically a side somi but instead of being executed down the length of the beam as is typically done, it was performed sideways taking off from one leg and ending in a side stand. 

 

Floor Exercise 

 

A new jump on floor was performed by Katarzyna Jurkowska-Kowalska of Poland that was awarded a D value. This element is a jump with a full turn to a ring position. A variation of this skill was already in the code of points as a leap taking off of one leg. 

 

The eighth new skill was a turn on floor performed by Russia’s Aliya Mustafina. Mustafina performed a triple turn with her leg held up by her head in a 180 degree split position, which was awarded an E value. Mustafina initially submitted this skill for evaluation in 2013 but it was awarded to her after she executed it at the 2014 World Championships. Watch Mustafina's floor routine from event finals where she succesfully executes this pirouette HERE. 

Mustafina performing her turn on floor
Photo by Thomas Schreyer

 

Chart below via FIG

 

Read the FIG post here.