In February 2017 Moscow hosted three days of rhythmic gymnastics: the Gazprom Cup “Alina Kabaeva”, the Alina Cup for young gymnasts and the Grand Prix for junior and senior individuals and groups. Gymnasts from 30 countries took part.
A new cycle
Three-time world champion Yana Kudryavtseva had retired, and Olympic champion Margarita Mamun was not entered. The meet was the first real test of how gymnasts had adapted to the new Code of Points introduced after Rio.
The Russians
Russia entered Aleksandra Soldatova, the twins Dina and Arina Averina and Yulia Bravikova. Two scores of 19.600 stood out: Dina Averina’s clubs routine and Soldatova’s ball routine in the finals. Other notable entries included the Rio Olympians Neviana Vladinova (Bulgaria) and Katsiaryna Halkina (Belarus), Israel’s Linoy Ashram and the new Italian senior Alexandra Agiurgiuculese.
Looking back
The Moscow Grand Prix was an early sign of the Averina twins’ rise. Dina went on to win the world all-around title later that year in Pesaro and held it through the cycle.
