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.