Russian Cup schedule

I know there has been an hiatus in coverage on this blog, thanks to a holiday in Crete followed by some fairly heavy work schedules.  During this time the senior team has also taken a holiday in Mallorca, and the juniors are due to enjoy the pleasures of Palma also from the 8th to the 21st August (thanks to Alan Owen for this information).  But Russian gymnastics never seems to stop.  Olympic Hopes competitions have taken place in Russia, and there have also been interviews with Alexandrov and some other fairly useful media coverage.  I'm working on a directory to this at the moment, but it will take some time to catch up.  It's an intriguing time as new juniors for 2013 and beyond begin to establish themselves.

On the senior front, I'm beginning to wonder now who will make the team for Fukushima.  Alexandrov has been doing a lot of talking. I'm intrigued that Semenova is back, concerned that Nabieva may not be doing well, and delighted to see Afanasyeva looking so fit and sharp.  I have hopes for Dementieva despite Alexandrov's rather short treatment of her chances at world level.  But no interview or picture will ever tell the complete story as to how the gymnasts are doing.

I guess the first and perhaps the only advance indicator will be the upcoming Russian Cup competitions, taking place in Ekaterinburg from 15th to 21st August. 

The schedule of competitions has now been published on the Russian Gymnastics Federation website, and is as follows.  All times are local :

 

16th August                                Podium training

17^th August        2.00 – 4.30      Women’s qualifications

17^th August        5.30 – 8.00      Men’s qualfications

18^th August        5.00 -7.00       Women’s all around

19^th August        5.00 -7.00        Men’s all around

20^th August        4.00 - 7.00       Apparatus finals 1

21^st August        2.00 -5.00        Apparatus finals 2

I'll post further updates as they become available.