Top 5 Series: Uneven Bars

But first, in news that I would like to sub-headline with "can I get a hell yeah!?", I have discovered through a source that LJ user rawles has written some fine entries on the 'basics' of women's gymnastics for the amateur watcher. Everything from score calculation to need-to-know vocab is there, with helpful pictures. I recommend it for my friends and family who never know what the hell it is that I'm going on about. Smiles and polite nods all 'round. Enjoy!

So begins Episode 2 of this miniature epic quest, fellow hobbits. Today we look at my favourite routines from the 'second' event in the gymnastics rotation, with Uneven Bars performances from Team Australia. This list was harder to shorten than the vault one (wait 'til I get to Floor, yeesh! I think that'll have to be a Top 10-er) but I've done my best to choose routines that actively reflect good form and composition (although I'm no expert).

5. Hollie Dykes, 2007 World Championships preliminaries

View it here

A lot of people held their [collective] breaths as Hollie began her routine. 2006 had shown Hollie to be a somewhat inconsistent performer on bars, and this resulted in changes of composition to try and iron them out over the new year. This was one of few error-free routines for Team Oz in Stuttgart and thankfully counted towards the team's score to get them to Beijing. It's a shame she has stepped down from the squad and will miss the Olympics [most likely], she had such lovely, fluid technique on this event. Gorgeous toepoint.


4. Allana Slater, 2000 Olympic Test Event.

View it here

She debuted a double-double dismount, noice! As Liz says, she was the first girl in Australia to do it. We haven't seen (m)any in the team since then. Shame about the vomitrocious pink leos. She always had great leg form and toepoint. You don't see too many hop-full to Geingers these days...


3. Brooke Walker, 2000 Olympics

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A morale-booster for Australia after a disasterous vault rotation. Australia made up some ground on bars with good routines from the likes of Slater, Skinner and of course Miss Walker. Brooke was known for powerful swings, particularly with inverted giants, and that exciting Deltchev. A steady performance worthy of a smile.

2. Daria Joura, 2007 Olympic Test Event

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After flubbing it at Worlds, Dasha came back with a bang in the Beijing preview. She rocked her Comaneci release and stuck her dismount (with a deserved smile!). I particularly like her delighted jumps as she leaves the podium. Listen out for team-mate Lauren Mitchell's calls of encouragement. Let's hope for a similar performance in August.


1. Allana Slater, 1999 Nationals.

View it here

Yes, here she is again but you can't go past a 'perfect' 10.0! Granted, it wouldn't have scored quite as such on the international stage but a great achievement for her regardless, particularly in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics. The stuck dismount clinched the score.

Still to come- Balance Beam!