The head coach of the Russian national team has summed up the results of the Sky Grace international experimental tournament won by her student Lala Kramarenko.
The first ever Sky Grace tournament organized by the Alina Kabaeva Charitable Foundation ended with the victory of Lala Kramarenko from Russia. Lala ended up beating her closest rival, Anna Kamenshchikova from Belarus, by almost 15 points!
Irina Viner-Usmanova, the head coach of the Russian national team, brought the 17-year-old Russian to the mat. She also composed unique programs performed by Kramarenko.
The point is that the Sky Grace was held according to experimental rules, where elements of body difficulty were assessed according to the rules of the 2001-2005 model. The complexity of the exercise was not limited also, that is, gymnasts were able to demonstrate as many elements as they wanted.
Rhythmic gymnastics must comply with the Olympic motto
— How would you rate Lala's performance? — The question to Viner-Usmanova.
— As of today, I'm satisfied. These programs were made up in less than a month. The elements she made today used to have very high scores. These were the personal elements of Kabaeva, Garaeva and Batyrshina. But now they lose importance. They were thrown away for the sake of the new rules. And this is very, very sad. You see, if Isinbaeva jumps at her height, for example, you cannot set four meters for her and say "enough". It's the same here. I am happy that Alina made this tournament and I thank her very much. I did my best for Lala to show such programs that she really can do. This is real rhythmic gymnastics.
— How difficult was it to set up programs under the old rules for Kramarenko, given that she was not even born in 2001?
— It was very difficult! Lala has never performed these elements, and we had to learn many elements anew. Nevertheless, Lala eventually met almost all the requirements in her programs that should be. She has not made any visible mistakes today in exercises with clubs and the ribbon.
— Is it likely that the international federation will wise up after the Sky Grace and change anything in the rules for competitions?
— I am looking forward to that. I hope the international federation will see these programs, especially Lala's programs. We tried to make them such that the rhythmic gymnastics indeed corresponds to the Olympic motto of "Citius, Altius, Fortius!" How would it work out? Let’s see. As our President says, if we need to achieve, we will endeavor to achieve it.
The Averins are full of strength and determination
— How difficult will it be for Lala to adapt back to existing rules now and rework her programs?
— I regret saying that under the new rules, many of these most complex beautiful elements cost nothing. And it is quite possible that we will throw them out of the programs. There are easy elements in them that everybody can do. It is very disappointing and frustrating that we will have to remove something from what we have currently learned. Nevertheless, we will try to make such a mix that the complexity is maximal and the program is a real performance.
— How are Dina and Arina Averins doing?
— Everything is good. They are training; they have new programs. I've recently moved away from them a little bit because I was dealing with Lala and her programs. I wanted the Sky Grace to be heavenly indeed. But now the tournament is over, and I'm going to deal with them very seriously again. I can say that the girls are ready for action and are working very seriously. We recently had a great artist at a workout and I asked him, "How old do you think Dina and Arina are?" He said they were 14. And when they laughed, he was surprised, "Am I wrong? Actually — 12?" That's the answer to you. They are full of strength and determination and want to continue training.
Source: Sport-Express daily.