In just under 24 hours, the anticipation mounts as the stage is set for the Core Hydration Classic 2024. This event will showcase the incredible talent of 50 elite athletes. Among these remarkable competitors, their combined achievements boast a staggering total of 88 medals earned in Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American Games competitions. As the spotlight intensifies, all eyes are also on the legendary Simone Biles, making her fourth Olympic cycle comeback.
The registered roster includes the iconic trio of past women’s Olympic all-around champions: Gabby Douglas (2012), Simone Biles (2016), and Suni Lee (2020). Their presence, along with that of the tenacious field of contenders, promises a clash of titans. But before the main event, let’s delve into the electrifying atmosphere of the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training, offering a glimpse of our stars as they fine-tune their routines in preparation for tomorrow’s exhilarating competition.
At the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, Suni Lee began with some tumbling, including a smooth double tuck, followed by a precise double layout. Suni’s planned tumbling sequence featured a double layout, a 1.5 twist into a full twist, and a double tuck. During her attempt at the ‘Lee,’ a challenging move named after her, she struggled to maintain her hold, resulting in two missed attempts.
Despite this, she persevered and continued with her routine. Suni dismounted from the beam with a layout or possibly a piked gainer full twist, showcasing her flexibility and control. Although she attempted the LSO mount, she did not connect out of it as intended. Despite these challenges, her determination and skill were evident throughout her performance.
Gabby Douglas ready for a showdown
Gabby Douglas arrived in Connecticut via private jet due to severe weather in Dallas and proceeded to deliver an impressive full routine at the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training. During her uneven bars routine, her coach, Valeri, was closely involved, though it was difficult to gauge the extent of his assistance. Gabby executed a series of complex elements, starting with a switch leap, a switch half, and a ring leap.
In her floor routine, she performed a front flip, an LSO, and a standing full twist with a minor step. Her punch front was slightly short, causing a step back, and her switch ring leap was questionable for full credit again. She followed with two back handsprings and a timer dismount. On FX, she also wowed with a double layout and a front full to a full-in, showcasing her powerful skills and preparation for the competition ahead.
Simone Biles wows fans with some Taylor Swift
At the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and their teammates from WCC made a striking entrance in pink attire. Simone Biles, ready to make her debut in her fourth Olympic cycle, stood out in a green leopard leotard. Her floor choreography, set to Taylor Swift’s music, captivated the audience. On the balance beam, Simone’s usually rapid routine was slightly slowed due to a missed connection out of the mount, but she remained solid and concluded with a full-in dismount.
On floor exercise, she brought back her signature Biles II move, which is the triple-double, showcasing her extraordinary difficulty. During her uneven bars routine, she performed two big layout timers, likely preparing for a double pike, and finished with a double double dismount. Simone’s training session highlighted her readiness and continued dominance in the sport.
Jordan Chiles shows a new move
Jordan Chiles, also making her 2024 season debut, faced some challenges during the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training on the floor exercise. She came up short on her combination through to a full-in pass and experienced a crash on a full-twisting double layout. Despite this, she managed a much better full-twisting double layout on a subsequent attempt, although she landed out of bounds.
On the balance beam, Jordan introduced a new element with a front tuck mount, adding excitement and difficulty to her routine. Despite the setbacks on floor, her innovative skills on the beam were a standout, showcasing major growth since 2023.
Konnor McClain showcased her impressive skills during the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training. She flawlessly executed a series of back handsprings into a layout with two feet on the balance beam, followed by an excellent standing full twist. Additionally, Konnor performed a few FTYs (Full Twisting Yurchenkos) on the vault, demonstrating her power and precision. Konnor’s strong performances in the apparatuses she practiced highlighted her readiness and competitive edge.
At the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training, Tiana Sumanasekera delivered a stunning full-twisting double layout on the floor exercise. Her execution was impeccable, showcasing her power and control. Making her elite 2024 season debut at the US Classics, at the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training, Leanne Wong initially struggled on the uneven bars at the start of the rotation. However, she persevered and successfully completed a full routine by the end.
On the floor exercise, Leanne impressed with a powerful double layout and a precise Arabian double, showcasing her refined skills and readiness for the season ahead. Despite the early difficulties on bars, her resilience and strong performances on floor underscored her competitive spirit for tomorrow. During the Core Hydration Classic Podium Training, Kaliya Lincoln delivered an outstanding front-full-to-full-in on floor exercise. Her execution was exceptional, displaying both power and precision.
Making her season debut at the Senior Women’s Core Hydration Classic, Shilese Jones impressed with a clean and powerful double double on the floor exercise at podium training. Her execution of this challenging tumbling pass demonstrated her strength and technical skill, marking a strong start to her 2024 season.
