GYMN-L Digest - 15 Nov 1995

There are 14 messages totalling 370 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

1. Subway World Gymn Challenge - press release
2. Doni Thompson (2)
3. combinations we'd like to see
4. Neil Thomas
5. ....
6. Subway Meet (2)
7. gymnastics move ???
8. Coach needed
9. Introduction
10. Atlanta
11. Maryland Classic Web Page is finally up...
12. Trivia Questions Needed: Kurt Thomas

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 10:24:53 -0400
From: ***@CAPITALNET.COM
Subject: Subway World Gymn Challenge - press release

Below is the press release that was sent to all the press services after the
competition. It can also be found under
http://www.capitalnet.com/~chiug/press.html


The 1995 Subway World Gymnastics Challenge
For immediate release
November 12, 1995 Contact: Paula Oreskovich
Energy Plus Communications
(416) 698-9182

Canada's Alan Nolet strikes gold at the Subway World Gymnastics Challenge
-- Current World Champion Lilia Podkopayeva from Ukraine captures first
place in the women's

Hamilton, ON -- Battling against some of the world's best gymnasts in a
fiercely competitive field, Canada's Alan Nolet and Ukraine's Lilia
Podkopayeva, current World Champion, captured top honours at the Subway
World Gymnastics Challenge which took place today at Hamilton's Copps
Coliseum.

Scoring consistently high marks in all six men's apparatus --floor, pommel
horse, parallel bars, rings, vault and the uneven bars -- Nolet's exciting
and challenging routines were successful in fending off threatening
competitor Huang Dong from China. Third place finisher was Alexei
Bondarenko from Russia. It was an exciting day for home-town favorite
Nolet who placed second overall at this event last year.

" I was nervous going into today's competition but I knew that if I stayed
focused and concentrated on my own gameplan, I'd do alright," said a
smiling and relieved Nolet. "There was some tough competition on that floor
today and all of the athletes should be
congratulated for their performances."

Podkopayeva turned in a strong performance once again and scored high marks
in vault, uneven bars and floor routine. Ironically, like Nolet,
Podkopayeva, finished in second place behind Romania's Gina Gogean at last
year's event. Second place went to Romania's Mirela Tugurlan and third
prize was awarded to China's Liu Xuan.

Approximately 8,000 spectators enjoyed the exciting event which event
boasted a field of 20 men and women gymnasts from the United States,
Ukraine, Romania, China, Russia and Canada. Nolet and Podkopayeva collected
$5000, second prize is $3,000 and third prize, $2,000.

The 1995 Subway World Gymnastics Challenge will be featured on CBC in a
two-hour special that will be aired on December 2 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m.
- 30 -

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 10:52:24 -0500
From: ***@ASTRO.OCIS.TEMPLE.EDU
Subject: Re: Doni Thompson

Doni Thompson has been one of my favorite gymnasts since I first
saw her in the US vs Romania meet last year. Although I'll miss
her style, I have to say "good for her" for leaving if the sport
was no longer fun for her. What attracted me to her gymnastics
was the personality shining through in her work. I didn't see
that same exuberance at this years nationals. I hoped it was
just nerves, but if it was more than that, I'm glad that she's
able to decide that the sport isn't worth it to her anymore.

Ilene

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 11:00:40 -0500
From: ***@ASTRO.OCIS.TEMPLE.EDU
Subject: combinations we'd like to see

One of the Chinese gymnasts (I can't remember who) did an interesting
trick on beam at the worlds. The best way I can describe it is that
it was like a Healy twirl, starting in a cross-handstand and ending
with the gymnawst sitting crosswise on the beam.

THis got me thinking of combinations. Oak tree to Healy twirl?
Miller to Healy twirl? Is anyone doing these combos already?

Ilene

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 10:58:54 EST
From: ***@COMPUSERVE.COM
Subject: Neil Thomas

Bex posted:

>This may be old news that I've missed, but I heard on the local news
>here on Friday that Neil Thomas was quitting. I didn't catch all of
>it, being surrounded by mad noisy footie fans in my boyfriend's flat
>at the time (!), but there was a short interview with him in which he
>said that the time had come to quit (and the usual retirement-type
>things) and he was interested perhaps in coaching or in the
>promotional side of the sport.
>Did anyone else catch this or know what's happening? I knew I hadn't
>seen him competing at the Worlds.

Neil was a guest at the UK National Development Plan (NDP) finals for boys held
on 3/4/5 November. At a presentation he announced his retirement from
competitve gymnastics but said he wanted to remain in the sport which means so
much to him and he said he was open to offers!

Ian

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 12:01:52 -0600
From: ***@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU
Subject: Doni Thompson

Date sent: 15-NOV-1995 11:58:12

Ilene beat me to the sentiment, but I'm going to say it anyhow. If
Doni is leaving because she is no longer enjoying the sport, so be it
and congratulations to her for making that decision on her own. I
think sometimes we all get so caught up in our favorites athletes that
when they decide enough is enough, we tend to go "No, you CAN'T do this
to us." I'm not talking just about fans, parents do the same thing.
It's not just in gymnastics, either. Anyhow, I digress. My point is
that this is Doni's decision to make, and not anyone else's. I'm glad
to see that some athletes have the self-will and power to make these
decisions, even if the goal they've aimed for (ie, the Olympics) is
so close. I'll miss Doni (like Ilene, I fell in love with her gymnastics
because of her personality and that was missing this year), but I respect
the guts it must've taken to make this kind of move.

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 13:59:21 -0500
From: ***@FREENET.BUFFALO.EDU
Subject: ....

Sorry for the title but this message covers several things...

Thanks to all who told me how to fix the digest problem....
Thanks to Debbie (I think it was) who fixed it.

I have a couple questions about juniors...

Lanna Apsu(I don't know how to spell the rest) was supposedly
one of the US's best hopes for Atlanta '96

What happened to her?

Also, is Gail Kachura an Olympic hopeful, or is she too young> ?


(sorry)

Will the Atlanta Invitational be televised?


Me
;-)

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 11:27:04 -0800
From: ***@SEATTLEU.EDU
Subject: Subway Meet

I was wondering, what is a Pak salto on bars and a Rulfova on beam?
Corrie

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 15:44:43 -0500
From: ***@ARGONET.CO.UK
Subject: gymnastics move ???

Aaron Walters wrote :

>I was watching my tape of the Sabae Worlds, and was reminded of a
>question I have been meaning to ask. What is the move called that looks
>like a front handspring with severely bent elbows. The gymnasts head
>looks like it is practically touching the ground. I am not 100% sure,
>but I think Gina Gogean does one into the corner before a pass.
>Aaron

This looks a bit like a head spring to me. Bit unusual for women's fx but not
unknown.


John

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 16:00:22 EST
From: ***@PRODIGY.COM
Subject: Coach needed

Girls Gymnastic Coach
Levels 5 through 10
Nice facility near Minneapolis/St.Paul
We were Levels 5, 6 and 7 State champs in '93-'94 season
We compete USA G and USAIGC
Send resume to:
Barb Burdick
Forest Lake Flyaways
280 SW 15th Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 16:05:12 -0400
From: ***@CAPITALNET.COM
Subject: Re: Subway Meet

Corrie asked:
>I was wondering, what is a Pak salto on bars and a Rulfova on beam?

A Pak salto is a backward salto from high bar to low bar (facing low bar).
It's like a layout flyaway to a clear support and has a "D" value.
Pak, I vaguely recall, is a North Korean gymnast.
It's supposed to be done with legs together, but Amy Chow does it
straddled (though I'm not sure if she gets the D for it). Back in
"my day", a straddled somi-down was just a "B". I've got a nice
photo of Elena Grosheva doing the Pak and will try to add it to my web page
(but the Eagle handstand is a much nicer shot).

A Rulfova is a full-twisting back handspring swing-down on beam.
I don't know who Rulfova is, but Elena Shushunova did it in '88.
It also has a "D" value. It looks insane. My photo of Roza Galieva
doing it on Sunday is all blurry.

How's the weather in Seattle? I'm thinking of taking a side trip
there on Friday from BC.

Regards,

Grace

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 15:58:55 EST
From: ***@PRODIGY.COM
Subject: Introduction

I think I watched long enought, I can introduce myself now. I am the
mom of 4 female gymnasts. I have 2 level 6's (ages 8 & 10), a L9 who
won't be competing again until she has her ACL reconstructed and a 7
year old in the developmental program. So I have spent many a
weekend with my bottom on the bleachers! I was never a gymnast, but
really have become fond of the sport for the self disipline it
teaches. To say nothing of the beauty of the sport.
My husband, 4 children, 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 bird and I live on a sod
farm near Minneapolis Minnesota. . Our compulsory season is in full
swing with two of the three zone meets complete (one coming this
weekend) and our state meet the 2nd weekend in Dec. Then we have
invitationals until May or so.

Kim

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 17:40:14 -0600
From: ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: Atlanta

There is a minor stuff about the upcoming meet in ATLANTA you can
access via the WWW if you put your web browser on:


http://www.atlanta.olympic.org/acog/sports95/d-mdgym.html


For those without WWW access, it simply states the competition format,
which will be FIG competition III format except for women's vault, which
will be under FIG competition II rules).

Also, there will be a rhythmic gymnastics exhibition by the USA women's
team while final scores are being checked and tabulated EACH DAY.

Note: It also says that the meet starts at 6PM on Thursday, but at 6:30
PM on Friday.

Jeff


P.S. No team event.

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 18:12:34 -0500
From: ***@GOOFY.UMD.EDU
Subject: Maryland Classic Web Page is finally up...

Hi Everyone,

A couple of months ago I promised that I was going to put up a web site for
The Maryland Classic. I finally got it to the point that it is worth telling
about. You can access it via the following URL:

http://www.webwide.com

This will put you into the WebFronts. At that time go to The Maryland Classic
storefront and you're in!

I will be updating the information as need be, every ten minutes it seems :-),

Within the next day or so I'll be sending out individual email to those of you
who have already requested more information.

For those of you who are new or may not have heard about The Maryland Classic,
it is an Artistic Gymnastics competition hosted by the Hill's Angels Parents
Association and it will be held on January 13, 14, 15 at Quince Orchard High
School in Gaithersburg Maryland.

The Maryland Classic has both a Compulsory (Levels 5 through 9) and Open
Sessions. Slated to compete at this years Open session are Dominique Dawes,
Larissa Fontaine, Raegan Tomasek, and Mariana Webster.

Visit the web page or email me for more information.
--
Steve

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Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 19:15:44 -0500
From: ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Trivia Questions Needed: Kurt Thomas

Gymners,

Time for more prize trivia! The topic this time is Kurt Thomas. Please send
me your questions via private e-mail.

Thanks!
:-)
Mara

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 15 Nov 1995
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