2000 Rope Routine

Yulia Barsoukova Collection

Barsoukova’s 2000 Rope Routine is arguably controversial: while some like it as much as her other routines, most others deem it as a “technically-free” routine – one that has no difficulty at all. To be fair, I shall not take any stand and point out both the routine’s strength sand weaknesses.

When the music begins, Barsoukova remains in her standing position (look to your left) for five seconds with the rope tied to her left leg. After that, she stands in a vertical spagat while turning the rope. She then arranges the rope and lifts up her right leg using the rope. Following that, Barsoukova arranges the rope neatly into four sections quickly. The way she performs it looks really original, even Almudena uses it in her 2001 rope routine.) Barsoukova displays a flexibility move where she supports her leg on her neck and continues with a sideways flip into an MG kick (rated D presently). Here she displays her superior control by continuing the combination with a vertical toe. Difficult to control indeed. However, I think that Barsoukova has not been using the rope apparatus at all for 35 seconds! Oh gosh, she only begins after a long resting time. The good thing is that the choice of music is good and she follows closely with that while executing the actions. The choreography is commendable. Maybe some gymnasts can learn from that.

Finally, she makes her first leap, performing a turning double stag leap through the rope. Next, she makes good use of the rope, performing some beautiful and clever tricks with the rope. Here she holds the rope tightly to her leg and ties a knot. She makes her first large throw, executing a arching split leap, and catches the rope with a back scale position. Theses series of moves are excellent, maybe to compensate the time wasted before that. Subsequently, she stands in a vertical spagat, and then does a leg up pivot without the support of hand with excellent control. What is great about her is the fully controlled vertical pivots. I have to admit that I am impressed with her execution. Next, she displays some good handlings of the rope. She creates some skipping actions and do a double leg-up pivot without hand (excellent control, but the element that she repeats all the time). Notice the rope is kept in constant motion here, displaying her dexterity. Barsoukova makes her second large throw, catching the rope safely after a split leap with a deep arch. Up to this point, I can strongly agree that though the routine looks ordinary (consider her capabilities), the way she delivers it is certainly brilliant, suiting the music well. She performs some pivots after that, including a combination of a 720 degrees leg-up pivot into a single attitude. (But I prefer Vitrichenko’s control of this combination – more precise) As for conclusion, she performs a Russian Cossack jump and catches in a ring jump position. She ends the routine with her fingers spread out, leaving us a mysterious feeling.

Alas, I certainly feel that Barsoukova’s rope routine lacks difficulty and is nothing as compared to Vitrichenko’s rope routine. It is over-scored in most competitions (because she represents Russia). For artistry and composition, Barsoukova scores, but maybe not as much as in techniques. A 9.883 for this routine in the Olympics is perhaps a gift for her since she fails to catch the rope at the end of the routine. Nevertheless, this rope routine is one that we the RSG fans can enjoy and allow ourselves to feel comfortable about.

Music

No idea (please contact me)

Major scores

Europeans: 9.983 - 1st

Olympics AA: 9.883 - 1st

World Cup Final: 9.825 - 2nd

Deventer: 10.000 - 1st

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Videos

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 Copyright 2001 Derri & Angela See