LAS VEGAS, March 22, 2019 – 2019 Maia World Cup women’s pair bronze-medalists Emily Davis and Aubrey Rosilier, both of San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, are in second place after the first of two routines in the preliminary round of the 2019 World Cup, the first International Gymnastics Federation World Cup for acrobatic gymnastics held in the United States since 2009. Competition continues Saturday at 6:30 p.m. PT at the Rio Hotel, Casino and Convention Center. The World Cup is part of the Las Vegas (Nev.) Acro Cup, an international invitational for 11 competition levels.
David and Rosilier performed their balance routine for a 27.330, the second highest women’s pair score for the balance routine. Portugal had the best score of 28.110, and Australia was in third at 27.220. The dynamic routine will be performed during Saturday’s session.
2018 U.S. mixed pair silver-medalists Aisley Boynton of Riverside, Calif., and Sean Obley of Mesa, Ariz., who train at Aspire Kids Sports Center, are in sixth place after performing their balance routine for a 26.630. Russia earned the highest mixed pair mark for a balance routine at 29.880. On Saturday, they will compete a dynamic routine.
The U.S. women’s group of Elanor Chang of Columbia, Md., Grace Vonder Harr of Imperial, Mo., and Kayla Vonder Haar of Imperial, who train at Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, scored a 27.100 and sixth place for their dynamic routine. Belarus had the highest women’s group dynamic score of 27.840. On Saturday, the women’s group competition features the balance routine.
For men’s pair, 2018 U.S. men’s pair champions Angel Felix and Braiden McDougall, both of Riverside, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy, are ranked seventh for their dynamic routine (26.260). Kazakhstan sits at the top of the rankings after the first routine with a 28.040. Competition continues with balance routines on Saturday.
China had the top score on the first night of competition for the senior men’s group.
The remaining World Cup competition schedule is: March 23, 6:30 p.m. PT, qualification – women’s pair, mixed pair and men’s group dynamic routine, and men’s pair and women’s group, balance; and March 24, 5 p.m. PT, finals. The top eight in each division advance to the finals.
Tickets for the event are available on each competition day at the venue. World Cup tickets are: $15/day, adults; $10/day, seniors, military, children 6-12; and free, children under age 6.
Participating gymnasts can earn World Cup points based on their performances that count toward the coveted Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup Series champion, which will be determined this fall at the conclusion of the series. At every World Cup, each pair or group will perform balance and dynamic routines. The pairs and groups that advance to the finals perform a combined routine.
In addition to the 11 countries also competing in the World Cup, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and Puerto Rico have confirmed they are sending athletes to the international invitational that has competition in 11 competitive levels and an anticipated field of more than 1,000 gymnasts. The levels are Junior Olympic Levels 5-10; youth; age-groups 11-16 and 12-18; junior; and senior. The international invitational begins on March 21, wrapping up on March 24. The number of routines performed by each pair or group depends on the level in which they compete.
Acrobatic gymnastics combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. At the elite level, each pair or group performs a balance, dynamic and combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and intricate flight elements define the dynamic exercise. The acrobatic gymnastics events are: men’s pair, mixed pair, women’s pair, men’s group and women’s group. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of three athletes – a base, middle and top partner – while a men’s group has four athletes, a base, two middle partners and one top partner.
For more information about the Vegas Acro Cup World Cup and international invitational, visit the official website, www.vegasacrocup.com. Fans can also find coverage of the World Cup at usagym.org and its social platforms.