International Eksposure: They Has It

Hurrah! Some videos of the WOGA Classic are up! Many thanks to the yoochoob user for being so courteous. Actually, while we're on the topic, do check out Lynn Denblyden's floor routine from the recent Pittsburg v Florida meet. I love the sassy way she incorporates the obligatory 'Gator Chomp' before tumbling (and the way the team does it with her!), much better than Amanda Castillo's past effort (as much as I love the fiery lass) with three erratic chomps and a shoulder-shimmy.

Double hurrah! According to GA's news page, the Aussie squad is getting out and about over the next month with some exciting competition assignments!

Pacific Alliance Championships, San Jose, USA: 25 - 30 March

Gymnasts:

Dasha Joura (AIS/WAIS)

Lauren Mitchell (AIS/WAIS)

Ashleigh Brennan (AIS/VIS)

Britt Greeley (VIS)

Tain Molendijk (WAIS)

Emily Little (WAIS)

Coaches:

Peggy Liddick

Martine George

Mischa Barabach

Judges:

Jill Wright

Trisha Hade

Desiree Jones

Friendship Classic, Pottsville, USA: 15 - 16 March

Gymnasts:

Dasha Joura (AIS/WAIS)

Lauren Mitchell (AIS/WAIS)

Coach: Martine George

Golden Gate Classic, Sacramento, USA; 15 - 16 March

Gymnasts:

Ashleigh Brennan (AIS/VIS)

Shona Morgan (AIS/WGC/VIS)

Georgia Bonora (AIS/WGC/VIS)

Olivia Vivian (AIS/WAIS)

Britt Greeley (VIS)

Tain Molendijk (WAIS)

Emily Little (WAIS)

Coaches:

Peggy Liddick

Mischa Barabach

Nikolai Lapchine

Also, courtesy of GGMB, comes news that Aussies will be competing at Gymnix in Canada, March 1-2: Amber Fulljames, Melanie Jones and Victoria Williams.

Yes, you've probably noticed a big WA/VIC trend here. No doubt these are the strongest gymnasts routine-wise in the squad of late, but I suppose it's also a 'wake up call' to other girls (I'm thinking Chloe Sims [injury notwithstanding], Emma Dennis) who were looking at big assignments this year too: Show that you're competition-ready and you'll be given the chance to go. I think Peggy's re-thinking the past circumstances where comp places have gone to girls of questionable standing in the squad (see: Olivia Vivian's Shanghai World Cup appearance prior to Stuttgart where she didn't even go on to get selected for the team). I admit I'm surprised Fiona Coley and Victoria Williams have had competition exposure at larger events (WOGA, French International) over the last year instead of stronger Olympic contenders like Shona and Georgia...

The Rythmic team for PAC has been chosen also:

Naazmi Johnston (QLD) - our Olympic wildcard winner

Janine Murray (WA)

Kimberly Mason (NSW) - yaaaaaaaaaaay!

Chloe Hayes (WA)

Cody-Sue Turco (WA)

Jaelle Cohen (NSW)

Danielle Prince - Reserve (QLD)

Enid Sung - Reserve (NSW)

Krasimira Yurukova - Coach (WA)

Nicole Higham - Coach (NSW)

There is also a 'Towards 2010' training camp at the AIS for juniors this week, including Dasha's younger sister Natalia Joura and exciting bubs like QLD's Chantell Turnbull and one-half-of-the-cute-freckly-Waverley-twins-but-hopefully-she's-not-secretly-the-evil-one Emma Collister.

PS- on an unrelated note, go and see Run Fatboy Run. Don't go and see Jumper. That is all.