How are preparations going for the first competition of the new season? Coach Alina Gusarova talks about it

Very soon, Anna Vakulenko from Volgograd, Elizaveta Geraskina and Yana Sakovich from Moscow, Veronika Malinina from St. Petersburg and Miroslava Monina from Penza will represent the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association at the Brilliant Cup — 2025 tournament in Shanghai.

Coach Alina Gusarova told how the girls are getting back into the work mode after a break:

"We are very happy that our season will start with China. We are happy that we will see the country, perform and show our program. The kids have had a break now, they had a recovery camp here at the Academy. We rested, and the kids rested, and now we have started the new season with renewed strength. The girls had dances with Dmitry Stepanchikov at the recovery camp. They danced every day, and now, when they do exercises, they feel more relaxed on the court and can even dance something."

She also explained why performances at international competitions motivate gymnasts and their coaches:

"Many thanks to Alina Kabaeva for this opportunity that both we, the coaches, and the children can visit different countries, see the world and perform. When they tell us that we are going to perform in another country, we are very happy, and our preparations immediately go with a bang, because we are waiting for these competitions. At different competitions, both coaches and judges come to us and talk about the level of preparation of the Sky Grace team. We are just happy, we are developing and developing our sport."

The competition in Shanghai will be held from 24 to 27 July.