Bars Final - pretty much as expected...

This final was quite predictable, the US was going to take it, one way or another. This is how it finished:

1. Bridgette Caquatto - USA - 14.525
2. Shawn Johnson - USA - 14.5
3. Marisela Cantu and Elsa Garcia - MEX - 13.625

Caquatto hit this routine for a third time in a row - Good for her! She did a clean job here, although not as crisp in the handstands and releases as the last two attempts, but she knew if she hit she was going to land on the podium. Overall a great competition for her, proving she is capable of doing this UB routine consistently, this is definitely going to count later on.

Johnson had a similar problem here that she had in qualifications, but it was less severe this time around. Right of the top after her weiler kip/weiler kip half combination she was not on top of the bar and had to muscle up to stay and not swing the wrong way. After that the routine went pretty smoothly, she needs to focus still on the handstand position because this makes all the difference on this event, these 0.05/0.1 she is getting in deduction for missed handstands can really push her routine up.

The Mexicans Garcia and Cantu shared the bronze, Garcia had more difficulty 5.7, but hit her toes in the LB in the reverse swing to release. Nevertheless I am really happy she got a medal here, her work is just beautiful, she has a fabulous body line and she is very clean. Cantu, although not so stylish hit her routine and deserved to get onto the podium.

In the end everyone looked quite happy with the outcome which is always good to see. After the controversies at Worlds, this is refreshing.

I was sad that Christine Lee of Canada did not manage to deliver a clean routine. I like her style and she deserved to get a individual medal at these Games. In this routine she landed past the handstand in her toe on full pirouette combination and had to swing the other way a correct it under the bar.  She hit the HB/LB transition (pak with a full) she had missed in AA and did a good dismount, unfortunately that mistake cost her a lot and she finished with 13.575.


Notes:
The display of leos was very nice in this final. Johnson and Caquatto worn a similar style (like Maroney's at worlds for EF), the fist was in pink, the second in blue. I really want the US to lose the bright barbie pink leos Nastia Liukin likes so much, it does not fit these power gymnasts like it fits Liukin, and they look a little ridiculous at times (not to be mean or anything, but a team leo needs to bring the best out of every gymnast, that is why I am happier with the styles they have shown recently in Worlds and here). The Mexicans were also looking good, Cantu in a similar color than Johnson with strips of rhinestones at the v-neck and cuffs, and Garcia in emerald green with rhinestones in the bodice and sleeves. Very nice! It was quite a fashionable podium.

Finally, I have been extremely impressed with Johnson's fitness level in these Pan Ams, she looks more toned and slimmer than at Classics and Visas. This is important for a gymnast that has a injury like hers, she needs to be always on top of her difficulty because she just cannot afford short landings...

More tomorrow!