Vault Chat: The Pordunova

   There is this vault, this vault that has only been performed exceptionally by one gymnast, and that gymnast is the woman who got this vault named after her, Elena Pordunova. The Pordunova is a double tuck vault. After Elena Pordunova retired. no one was able to perform the vault as beautifully as she did. One gymnast tried it at the Worlds stage, her name is Yamilet Pena Abreu. She has not landed it since the 2012 Zibo Cup. At the 2012 Zibo she landed the vault fairly well, I would give it a 5. She did win gold at the 2012 Medellin. But she never performed the vault well afterwards. The vault has amazing difficulty, if you hit it, you win it, but if you miss it, you're done like dinner. No one has ever hit the Pordunova as well as Russian great Elena Pordunova. And probably never will. But I am scouting the competitions for great talent on this vault. And when I find it, I will blog about it.

Vault Chat: The Amanar

   No one performs the Amanar more beautifully than McKayla Maroney (Not even Simona Amanar!) But, with the new COP, The Amanar has been downgraded. I loved that vault, and I was mesmerized when she vaulted. But, it is downgraded, and I will miss it sorely. But, new COP, I still think the Amanar will still be performed, by the people who are behind in vaulting, because, with these new COP, this vault will be downgraded, and would become routine. So, as Maroney says goodbye to the Amanar, and hello to the triple, we give a heavy-hearted wave.