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Rhythmic World Cup in Montreal
Lausanne (SUI) FIG Office – Montreal (CAN), February 1, 2010: Russia dominated the first Rhythmic heat of the FIG World Cup circuit with Evgenia Kanaeva, a good dose of talent and her signature sophistication. Since taking 6 Gold medals in Mie last year, Evgenia has not faltered. To the contrary, she seems to be in peak condition. With clear-cut gestures, her spatial expression is pristine and sets off her impressive difficulties to a tee. At 20, Evgenia Kanaeva is a front-runner across the board. She’s talented alright, but it’s sheer hard work that makes her routines truly shine.
She swept the competition in Montreal with the All-round and 4 apparatus! On her heels, Russians Daria Kondakova, Daria Dimitrieva and Yana Lukonina; a line-up that is merely the tip of a formidable iceberg lying in wait to climb every podium there is.
Behind the Russian front lines, other gymnastic prodigy looms: Melitina Staniouta (BLR), Maria Petrakova (KAZ), Dora Vass (HUN) and Julie Zetlin (USA). We may see this new generation rise to power when faced with gymnasts from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Spain.
The second stage on the World Cup circuit that will culminate in August in Pesaro (ITA) is slated for early March in Debrecen (HUN). After that, all eyes will be on Moscow and the World Championships. On Evgenia’s home turf!
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From Gymnastique Canada
MONTREAL – Olympic champion Evgeniya Kanaeva and her Russian teammates scooped up eight of the 12 medals up for grabs on Sunday at the first-ever rhythmic gymnastics held in North America.
Not surprisingly Kanaeva was the class of the field, earning gold medals for her dazzling ball and ribbon routines set to music, and silver and bronze medals in the hoop and rope events respectively.
Melitina Staniouta of Belarus was the only non-Russian competitor to make it to the podium, winning three bronze medals and the gold in the rope event.
No Canadians qualified for the top-eight finals, but 2009 junior champion Mariam Chamilova of Maple, Ont., earned a spot in the ribbon final as a special entry for the host country.
Chamilova posted the top Canadian result in the qualification round, placing 11th on Saturday in the ribbon competition.
Other members of the Canadian team were Alexandra Martincek of Markham, Ont., and Jessica Ho and Nerissa Mo, both of Vancouver.
Despite Kanaeva’s dominance, the 2008 Beijing Olympic all around gold medal winner was far from satisfied with her performance. “I made a lot of mistakes, but it’s very early in the season, and I’m looking forward to working hard on all my routines to make them better,” said Kanaeva, who swept all four events in the qualifications.
Still, Kanaeva said it’s more than winning medals that drives her to succeed. “I want to inspire the audience and encourage the athletes to strive for perfection and make the sport more beautiful.” As the  biting cold winter weather in Montreal, Kanaeva smiled and said, “I’m from Siberia, I’m used to it.’
Gymnastics Canada CEO Jean-Paul Caron of Ottawa called the event a huge success and a feather in Montreal’s cap as the first North America city to host a World Cup in rhythmic gymnastics. “We had a top calibre field of 30 athletes from 13 countries and it provided great experience for our athletes,” said Caron.
In the Junior Cup, held at the same time as the World Cup, hometown favourite Maria Kitkarska competed in all four finals and more than held her own. “It’s been a great motivation for me to get up to the level of the Russian girls and even be better one day,” said Kitkarska.

From the left:
Caroline Hunt (USA – FIG RG TC Member); Evgenia Kanaeva (RUS); Tamara Bompa (CAN – CJP); Jean-Paul Caron (CAN – President and CEO Canada Gymnastics).