Archive: August - December 2008
Back to the News Archive IndexDECEMBER 26 - 2008 WRAPS UP
IG interview with Brittany Rogers: http://www.intlgymnast.com/Online-Features/News/721.html
IG interview with Kyle Shewfelt: http://www.intlgymnast.com/interview/719.html
IG interview with Nansy Damianova: http://www.intlgymnast.com/Online-Features/News/717.html
New vids of Brittany Rogers, the 2008 Elite Canada champion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8iRFZpeZbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEJRXueR_Nc
DECEMBER 15 - ELITE CANADA APPARATUS FINALISTS
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Congratulations to the individual medalists from yesterday finals!
Senior Vault: Brittany Rogers, Dominique Pegg, Sydney Sawa
Senior Bars: Ti Liu, Dominique Pegg, Brittany Rogers
Senior Beam: Brittany Rogers, Sydney Sawa, Charlotte Mackie
Senior FX: Dominique Pegg, Brittany Rogers, Sydney Sawa
Junior Vault: Dominique Nadeau, Paige Blainy, Ellie Black
Junior Bars: Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto, Dominique Nadeau, Coralie Leblanc-Chartrand
Junior Beam: Madeline Gardiner, Rochelle Hurt, Melissa Fontaine
Junior Floor: Madeline Gardiner, Mikaela Gerber, Coralie Leblanc-Chartrand
Full results: http://www.gymelitesgymnastique.ca/EliteCanadaResults.html
DECEMBER 14 - WILD ROSE SET FOR 2009; GYMNIX TO FEATURE WORLD CUP "B" EVENT
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The Wild Rose Invitational is returning next year! The Wild Rose was previously held in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2002, and the last edition saw close to 850 athletes from all over the world compete (from L.E.A.P. to International levels), with over $8,000 in prize money awarded to the International medalists.
Previous competitions have always caught the interest of the international gymnastics community, with top names including Viktoria Karpenko (1999 World silver medalist), Elena Zamolodchikova (2-time Olympian, gold medalist on FX/VT at the 2000 Olympics), Simona Amanar (2000 Olympic AA champion), and more. The 2009 competition is also expected to have a strong group of competitors; Already, teams from Slovenia, Israel, Great Britain, Mexico, USA, and Canada (High Performance) have announced their intention to attend. More are also expected.
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The Wild Rose Invitational is sponsored by Champions Gymnastics, in Edmonton, Alberta. Alberta's official flower is the wild rose, and can be seen on all Albertan license plates. For more information, visit http://www.wildrosegymnastics.com.
Also on the Canadian calendar next year is L'International Gymnix (March 6-8, 2009), but next year the event is being expanded to include a World Cup competition for MAG and WAG. The Gymnix World Cup has been assigned a "B" category from the FIG. Organizers are promoting the international portion as a tune-up for the 2009 European Championships, so we can hopefully expect a good number of European gymnasts, in addition to the regular crew who compete the World Cup circuit.
DECEMBER 14 - MEET THE BRUINS: GERBER, HOPFNER-HIBBS, BERNHOLTZ
Aisha Gerber and Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs are now competing NCAA for the UCLA Bruins, and Marci Bernholtz is now in her second year. Some of their 2009 season routines are available on You Tube, from the recent "Meet the Bruins" night:
Gerber FX:
http://www.youtube.com/v/w6z-cOX-oOk&hl=en&fs=1
Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs FX:
http://www.youtube.com/v/b3syg5QumX4&hl=en&fs=1
Gerber UB:
http://www.youtube.com/v/TijCWye1OpE&hl=en&fs=1
Bernholtz UB:
http://www.youtube.com/v/PamQxiKubDY&hl=en&fs=1
Hopfner-Hibbs BB:
http://www.youtube.com/v/vf_q08VlZHU&hl=en&fs=1
DECEMBER 13 - LEBLANC-CHARTRAND WINS JUNIOR ELITE CANADA
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Though the news coming out of Gatineau, Que is limited, we hear that Coralie Leblanc-Chartrand (Gymnix) has taken the junior Elite Canada title with a score of 53.30. Leblanc-Chartrand is best known for her innovative floor routine. She finished 5th all-around in the junior category at this year's Nationals, held in May.
Coach Katerine Dussault told Gymnastics Canada that she's been focusing less on difficulty and more on Leblanc-Chartrand's execution, a strategy she adopted for Nansy Damianova in their quest for Beijing 2008. The strategy worked for Leblanc-Chartrand, who not only won the all-around title but also placed in the top three on all four apparatus.
Finishing second was Madeline Gardiner (Cambridge Kips; 51.90), with third going to Rochelle Hurt (Mississauga Gymnastics; 51.40). No further results are available at this time.
DECEMBER 13 - ROGERS WINS ELITE CANADA
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The Elite Canada competition is underway in Gatineau, Quebec. Although held in December, it's seen as the beginning of another season of gymnastics. With the Olympians not attending, the opportunity presented for a fresh podium. Brittany Rogers grabbed the opportunity, taking her first major senior title (56.35). She placed 6th all-around at Nationals earlier this year.
Silver went to Calgary's Sydney Sawa (55.40), a member of Canada's 2007 World Championships team. Sawa recently returned from Germany, where she was Canada's lone entrant at the 2008 DTB Cup (8th on vault). Charlotte Mackie, who trains alongside Rogers, took the bronze (54.90). Mackie finished 7th all-around at Nationals earlier this year.
Noticeably absent was the injured Peng Peng Lee.
The Junior all-around will be contested today, and apparatus finals on Sunday. The men have decided to postpone their Elite Canada until February.
Full Results:
Senior
Women's AA
Novice
Women
NOVEMBER 22 - PEGG 5th ON VAULT AT MASSILIA
Dominique Pegg qualified to three apparatus finals in Marseilles, posting her best result on vault. She scored 13.737 to finish fifth out of 12 competitors. She also finished 9th on bars and floor. Other Canadians competing in the apparatus finals included Madeline Gardiner (11th on floor), Caitlyn Keats (11th on beam), and Anysia Unick (12th on vault).
NOVEMBER 21 - HOPFNER-HIBBS CONFIRMS SHE'S READY FOR THE WORLD CUP, IF THE INVITE COMES
Madrid, Spain is set to play host to the 2008 World Cup Final, December 13-14. Eight gymnasts compete per apparatus, but with points accumulated over years, recent post-Olympic retirements, injuries, and late invites, it seems likely that the eight who show up to compete will different drastically than those sitting with the most points. Canada's Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs is one who may benefit. Currently ranked 11th on bars and 13th on bars, it seems a good bet that she will compete both apparatus in Madrid.
If Hopfner-Hibbs gets the nod, she will be one of two Canadians competing at the World Cup final. Confirmed for the floor final is 2008 Olympian Brandon O'Neill.
Hopfner-Hibbs is currently in her Freshman year at UCLA, and was recently featured in their 10.0 Spotlight.
Update: Hopfner-Hibbs was invited to compete bars and beam, but declined. O'Neill's name is now absent from the roster.
NOVEMBER 21 - CANADIANS TAKE SILVER AND BRONZE AT MASSILIA OPEN
Canadians took silver and bronze today in Marseilles, France at the Massilia Open:
1. Shanghai - 115.90
2. Canada Team 1 (Dominique Pegg, Rochelle Hurt, Anysia Unick) - 109.85
3. Canada Team 2 (Jessica Dowling, Madeline Gardiner, Caitlyn Keats) - 108.00
7. Canada Team 3 (Briannah Tsang, Alyssa Saramatunga, Sabrina Gill)
10. Canada Team 4 (Anna Gamelo, Mikaela Gerber)
Individually, Canada's Pegg placed third behind two Shanghai gymnasts.
The combined results from the Open and the Cup will determine the event finalists for Saturday's round.
NOVEMBER 16 - LARGE CONTINENT TO MASSILIA CUP
Canada is fielding a large contingent of gymnasts to next weekend's Massilia Open/Cup, held annually in Marseilles, France. The roster includes Mikaela Gerber, Caitlyn Keates, Rochelle Hurt, Dominique Pegg, Anysia Unick, Jessica Dowling, Madeline Gardiner, Anna Gamelo, Sabrina Gill, Briannah Tsang, Alyssa Saramatunga, and Anna Gamelo. Pegg (Juniors) and Gardiner (Novice) won their divisions at this year's Canadian National Championships, held in May in Calgary, Alberta.
Massilia organizers have scored another strong roster, with
Massilia Cup competitors including Jiang Yuyuan, Tatiana Nabieva, Viktoria Komova, Lauren
Mitchell, and Ashleigh Brennan.
NOVEMBER 15 - SAWA FINISHES 8TH AT DTB CUP
Sydney Sawa made a return trip to Stuttgart, Germany this weekend. Last year she competed in Stuttgart as a member of Canada's 2007 World Championships team. This year she returned as Canada's lone entrant for the DTB Cup. Sawa competed on all four apparatus, placing 2nd on vault, 17th on bars, and 13th on floor. Her best result came on beam, where she qualified to the final in the eighth and final spot with a score of 14.500. She also placed eighth (12.575) in finals, coming off on her Onodi and landing outside the mat.
Finals: http://gymnasticsresults.com/2008/dtb2008w.html
Qualifications: http://gymnasticsresults.com/2008/dtb2008wq.html
NOVEMBER 8 - PEPIN-GAGNE WINS BRONZE AT OSTRAVA
Canada's Laurie-Eve Pepin-Gagne won the bronze medal on bars at the recent Ostrava World Cup, held the weekend of November 6-8 in the Czech Republic. China's 2008 Olympic team gold medalist Jiang Yuyuan took top honours on the apparatus, with Belgium's Aagje van Walleghem placing second.
Teammate Cynthia Lemieux also competed, placing fourth on bars and fifth on beam.
OCTOBER 5 - LEMIEUX CAPTURES TWO MEDALS IN HUNGARIAN WORLD CUP
Szombathely, Hungary played host to the first World Cup event following the 2008 Olympics. With most taking time off after Beijing, the event allowed some new faces to compete at a World Cup event. Canada's Cynthia Lemieux capitalized on the opportunity, qualifying to three apparatus finals. She went on to win two medals, a gold on beam (equaling her placement from prelims) and silver on bars (an improvement from her fifth place position in prelims). She also placed 8th on floor.
SEPTEMBER 22 - TAYLOR WALK-A-THON ACROSS CANADA
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The Robertson Family is organizing a Walk-A-Thon in Toronto and are inviting all gym clubs in Canada to join. You can assist by soliciting pledges, purchasing Tee Shirts, or organizing a Walk-A-Thon in your area.
Toronto details:
Date: Sunday, October 19, 2008
Time:
10 a.m. - 12 Noon (registration starts at 9:00
a.m.)
Start: Northview Heights Secondary School @ Bathurst
& Finch
End: Seneca College - Newnham Campus @ Don Mills
& Finch
The walk will start at 10:00 sharp and everyone is welcome. Entry fee is $20.00 and you will receive a Team Taylor Tee shirt to wear
during the walk. The hope is for Taylor to be well enough to meet everyone
at the end of the walk.
For more information (including pledge form and t-shirt order form) contact Jeannine Robertson at Jro-mom@hotmail.com.
AUGUST 29 - LINDSAY-NOEL SUFFERS TERRIBLE INJURY; SEEKING HELP
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Sport Seneca gymnast Taylor Lindsay-Noel sits at the Bloorview Kids Rehab in Toronto, praying for a miracle. She suffered a terrible fall on the uneven bars this past July, apparently landing on her neck while attempting a toe-on double front dismount. The fall caused damage at the C-5 and she is now said to be paralyzed, with no use of the arms, legs, bowel, or bladder. Two surgeries have already been performed.
A fund has been established to assist Taylor's mother with medical expenses. We encourage you to consider a donation. The bank is the CIBC, transit number 07312, and account number 7759185.
Alternatively, a joint donation campaign by Gymnastics Canada and Gymnastics Ontario is available. Click to download donation form.
Cards can also be sent to Taylor:
Taylor Lindsay-Noel
c/o Bloorview Kids Rehab
150 Kilgour Road
Toronto, ON M4G 1R8
CANADA
AUGUST 29 - CANADIANS ENJOY SUCCESS IN BEIJING INCLUDING TWO SILVERS
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Canadian Gymnastics enjoyed a successful Olympic Games, highlighted with medals by two of our trampolinists: Karen Cockburn and Jason Burnett both brought home silver medals.
Canada's men's team placed ninth overall, just shy of a berth into team finals. Adam Wong and Nathan Gafuik continued their competition, moving onto the all-around final. The pair placed 15th and 17th, respectively - best ever finishes in a fully attended Games. Kyle Shewfelt finished as first reserve on vault and third reserve on floor, the apparatus on which he won gold at the 2004 Olympics. Many felt that his performance warranted a spot in the apparatus final.
In women's gymnastics, Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, bronze medalist on beam at the 2006 Worlds, placed 16th in all-around competition. The result came just shy of besting Kate Richardson's best ever finish for a Canadian at a fully attended Games. Richardson placed 15th AA in Sydney, at the 2000 Olympics. Hopfner-Hibbs will continue her gymnastics career this fall at UCLA, where she'll compete NCAA. Nansy Damianova enjoyed strong performances on vault, beam, and floor but suffered a bad fall onto the high bar on the uneven bars. The mistake prevented her from advancing to the all-around final. Damianova was one of only 15 entrants to attempt two different vaults at these Games and finished just shy of the apparatus final.
Canada sat out the last Olympic Games in rhythmic gymnastics, with dual citizen Mary Sanders opting instead to compete for the USA. Alexandra Orlando earned Canada a berth in Beijing, finishing 18th after preliminaries. The top 10 advanced to the AA finals, with Russian Alina Kanaeva taking top honours.
Canadian gymnastics enjoyed its greatest success in Beijing in trampoline; Karen Cockburn and Jason Burnett each brought home silver medals. Cockburn is a 3-time Olympian, capturing bronze at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Canada's athletes elected Cockburn as their flag bearer for the closing ceremonies.
Burnett was a surprise finalist, but after pulling out a stunning routine in finals many expected him to be crowned golden. In the women's field, Rosie MacLennan finished 7th to Cockburn's silver.
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