© John Cheng
INDIANAPOLIS, March 11, 2013 – The USA’s top women’s pair, which features Crescent City Gymnastics’ Nicole Barrilleaux of Metairie, La., and Beth Landeche of New Orleans, are among the more than 100 acrobatic gymnasts who are heading to Kearney, Mo., March 16-17 for the 2013 Acro Cup. Held at Rising Star Acrobatic Club, the two-day event will feature 45 groups competing at the senior elite, junior elite and age group levels.
The members of the 2013 U.S. National Team will be selected following the completion of the Acro Cup, when international assignments will also be determined.
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. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of a base, middle and top partner, while a men’s group has a base, two middle partners and one top partner.