Miroslava Monina, Veronika Solomatina and Sofia Smirnova shared their impressions after the international tournament in Baku

After the international Winter Fairytale tournament in Baku, Academy athletes Miroslava Monina from Penza, Veronika Solomatina from St. Petersburg and Sofia Smirnova from the Moscow region talked about their preparation for the competition in Baku.

Miroslava noted that the gymnasts carefully worked out their programs before the start.

"This is my first time in Baku, I really liked it here. We worked for a very long time, did a lot of clean runs. We also had a control training session before leaving for Baku, where we were given the necessary and right advice," she said.

They named the differences between the International Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association rules and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG): in Sky Grace there are seven elements, and according to the new international ones, there are six.

Miroslava also explained what is most valued in these rules.

"According to FIG, fouettés and skill with the apparatus are valued more. According to Sky Grace, flexibility is valued more; you can create some kind of signature element of your own," she said.

And Veronika also recalled the Ojaq Cup tournament, which took place in Baku in October, and assessed her progress.

"Before the first competition in Baku, I had just arrived at Sky Grace. During this time, I became more confident. A new element from Alina Kabaeva appeared in my hoop program — a double hoop. Alina Gusarova told me to try jumping and I jumped. Alina liked it, and we immediately included it in the program," she said.

Following the results of the international Winter Fairytale tournament in Baku, Miroslava Monina became the winner in the clubs event and the silver medalist in the all-around, Veronika Solomatina won gold in the all-around and in the hoop event, and Sofia Smirnova became the champion in the ball and ribbon events, as well as third in the all-around.