FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup B
BelSwissBank Cup 2012
Minsk (BLR), July 13 – 15, 2012
LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, July 16, 2012: Reigning Olympic Champions Evgenia Kanaeva (RUS) and the Russian Rhythmic Group removed all doubt that they’re ready for London 2012 when they topped the fields in the Individual and Group competitions respectively at the ultimate FIG World Cup event in Minsk (BLR).
Kanaeva clinched the Individual All-around Gold and took the titles on all four apparatus. Her team-mate Daria Dmitrieva garnered Silver in all categories but Clubs, where Alexandra Merkulova had her moment to shine. The 2010 Youth Olympic Champion is lining up for Russia at the London Games. Host country stars Liubou Charkashyna and Melitina Staniouta won three Bronze medals each, with Charkashyna finishing third in the All-around, on Ball and on Clubs, and Staniouta on Hoop, Clubs, and Ribbon. The Belarusians tied for the Bronze on Clubs.
Individual results
In the Group competition, Russia prevailed in the All-around on 5 Balls as well as on 3 Ribbons and 3 Hoops, defeating Belarus, who won three Silvers. Spain narrowly outscored Italy to take Bronze in the All-around, but the tables were turned in both Apparatus Finals when Spain finished fourth and watched Italy take to the podium.
Group results
About 2012 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Series
The 2012 FIG World Cup circuit in Rhythmic Gymnastics includes one category A event (Sofia) and six category B events. Apart from Corbeil-Essonnes (Individuals only), all events include both Individual and Group competitions, with All-around competitions serving as qualifiers for the Apparatus Finals.
With stopovers on two continents, the competitions are slated for March 16 – 18 in Kiev (UKR), April 13 – 15 in Pesaro (ITA), April 28 – 29 in Penza (RUS), May 5 – 7 in Sofia (BUL), May 11 – 13 in Corbeil-Essonnes (FRA), May 18 – 20 in Tashkent (UZB) and July 13 – 15 in Minsk (BLR).
The world ranking points collected by competitors at their best four events of the circuit will add up to a total, and the top scorers in each discipline will be crowned the winners of the overall series at the ultimate event in Minsk.
Participation in A World Cups is limited to a maximum of two Individual gymnasts and one Group per federation, while invitations are restricted to federations with Individual gymnasts among the top 18 (C I, All-around) and the best 12 Groups from the 2011 World Championships, with an additional wild card for the host country if not represented. B World Cups are open to all FIG member federations. Countries with gymnasts in the top 40 at the 2011 World Championships are entitled to participate with two Individual gymnasts; all other federations are allowed one gymnast only. All federations can participate with one Group. The current All-around champions of the Olympic Games, World and Continental Championships are invited to A and B World Cups and are in addition to the places listed above.
At category A and B World Cups, both Individuals and Groups qualify the best eight during the All-around competition for the Apparatus Finals. In the event of failure to qualify, the host federation may participate in one Individual Final of its choice.
The world ranking points collected by competitors at their best four events of the circuit will add up to a total, and the top scorers in the All-around and per Apparatus will be crowned the winners of the overall series at the ultimate event in Minsk.
