The world of rhythmic gymnastics is unique, it harmoniously combines different concepts like sports and art, athletic ability and grace, element execution precision with the freedom of movement. Where else in sports would an element be called a compass, or a helicopter or a sunshine cartwheel, in different languages while meaning the same thing?
The helicopter walkover is one of the rotation varieties in rhythmic gymnastics. It has so many other names in other languages because the element creates colorful images when a gymnast performs it.
According to the official rules, when performing the element, the athlete has to tilt the body forward, sideways or backward horizontally or below and perform a 360-degree rotation, while keeping the raised leg straight during the rotation. So the gymnast draws a circle around her own axis, as if it’s done with a compass.
The rotation is done without resting the hand on the floor, on neither the full foot or the relevé, and it does not affect the element’s score. Its value depends on the number of rotations performed, while maintaining the required form.
The helicopter is often part of a combination, and the change into a different position must be made on the relevé without heel support. If the athlete performs several rotations in a row, then it is possible to be on full foot after rotating on the relevé.
Gymnasts often include the helicopter in their program, and combine it with throws. For example, an athlete can perform the following combination: toss an object high, make the first helicopter, followed by a step, the second helicopter, a step and catch the object while doing the third helicopter. It is not against the rules to perform this type of combination without the intermediate steps. In that case, it is necessary to catch the object without visual control, which makes the element risky, as well as effective and visually impressive.
The helicopter walkover (sunshine cartwheel) is a common element. Many gymnasts have done it, including the participants of the Sky Grace international tournament.