2026 American Cup (Team competition, elimination each round)

[IratePanda]

China wins when I'm sleeping. Is it axiomatic? If that's the case, I'm prepared to sleep through every major compeetition this quad.

 

[Concorde]

I've been repeatedly way too high on beam. By like 5 tenths in every routine (except Petisco). Is there a new beam memo or something?

I’ve been scripting routines here, though I haven’t gotten to the American Cup yet.

COP Analysis - Week of 2/23/2026

Karina Schoenmaier - 2026 Cottbus, Apparatus Final https://youtu.be/mpG3AvFnl90?si=hwihoLumj52Xvjiw&t=126 Vault D Score #5.31 - Round Off ½ On - Front La...

docs.google.com

That half absolutely wasn’t around.

Double saltos with twist can only be downgraded when the twist is short by 90 degrees or more, so Pease would still receive credit for a Double Front 1/2..

 

[Sasha]

Thoughts:

1. It's March, lol
2. I'm still on the fence about this mixed team competition thing. I found the format a bit flat, but to be fair it would have benefited from watching live, with live scoring and people to chat with, rather than half awake on a feed that doesn't really show scores. I'm willing to keep an open mind, but I'm not sold.
3. The turnout in the arena was pretty underwhelming. Thoughts on why? Is it because it's a new event, or is it the lack of major star power on team USA? (No shade to the gymnasts, but are any of them household names in the US?) Or is it just economics/COL struggles?

 

[makam]

3. The turnout in the arena was pretty underwhelming. Thoughts on why? Is it because it's a new event, or is it the lack of major star power on team USA? (No shade to the gymnasts, but are any of them household names in the US?) Or is it just economics/COL struggles?

I don't have any facts to back me up but the location. It was in Las Vegas area, right? If it had been near one of the NCAA colleges with a big fan base or near Orlando where spring breakers are, I think more people would have been interested--I'm not flying out to Las Vegas for a 4 hour, 1 day competition unless it is one that qualifies people to the Olympics or something.

Additionally, I feel it is difficult to publicize events these days. Unless you are specifically interested in a band or sporting event, your algorithm doesn't even let you know about it. If I wasn't a member of this board, I would have had no idea it was happening and even then, I forgot when it started. And since I only have Peacock from watching the Olympics, I was lucky to be able to watch it. If they keep the mixed team format next year, the audience might build because it will be something at the next Olympics and something that has happened previously. If they figure out how to hold it at whatever venue is hosting the Olympic Gymnastics (either next year or in 28), I think all teams will send their best for the opportunity to scope out the arena and people who can't afford the Olympics might go for "Olympics-lite".

 

[MaryClare]

It was just…boring

 

[Lisaelaine80]

It has potential, but I don’t think it translates well to TV unless you can watch multiple events at once. And the commentating was making my ears bleed.

OT: Every time I see Nastia, I get more concerned about her health. She was so much healthier looking in Beijing.

 

[cats]

I thought the format of the meet was exciting and interesting. It is certainly high stakes. The glacial pace is a huge problem.

I do think the format is a hard sell as a standalone event though. Pair it up with a challenger cup or something. Since there’s no real way of knowing which routines will get to go, it’s a risky ticket for fans and a risky roster for athletes (although I would say we’ll see good rosters due to the Olympic inclusion).

 

[Hatsumomo]

I'm not opposed to the mixed cup but I think the elimination thing and each round starting from 0 might be a hard sell.

 

[Passion]

I thought it was great. I was so revved up after I couldn’t fall asleep for hours lol.

I didn’t like it much at Euros, with only one man & one woman per team, and forcing it in between AA and EF. This format is much better. 3 mag/3 wag is a real team feel. It was down to the wire who would make it past each round. If they want to throw this at the end of Worlds & Olympics after EF is over then I’m for it. It doesn’t disrupt any of the traditional events and is way more exciting than a gala (or nothing.)

This was more exciting than the old American Cups, which also moved slow and had half as much gymnastics. Top teams actually showed up to this because it’s one of the only chances to experience this format. This was a surprisingly great idea from USAG.

I think the crowd size was entirely due to location and the economy. I don’t think anyone was saying “Oh new format? I’m not going then.” They weren’t going to sell any more tickets in Nevada for a single day event if this was the old AmCup format either.

Look back at videos of 2024 Nationals in Forth Worth, Texas. Right before the Olympics, with both Biles and Lee competing. The arena was half empty. 2024 US Classic in Hartford, Connecticut - same format, same lineup: arena was packed. People don’t have the money to travel for gymnastics anymore, the location matters a lot more than it used to.

 

[makam]

I'm not opposed to the mixed cup but I think the elimination thing and each round starting from 0 might be a hard sell.

It does allow for upsets though. Spain with 4 steady basic routines could overcome a team like Japan if they make mistakes. Not sure a points system would improve things. Mass Start speed skating has points that get you through rounds but don't mean a thing in the final and that is weird.

It would be interesting if early rounds were worth more points so strategy could come into play--go all out to win the first round to max up your points, try to hold on for the second round, finish out strong or middle of the pack first round, kick it second round, and finish near the top 3rd round. Or whatever. Surely some computer program could be written to game out scenarios and determine how many points per round is right to make it interesting.

And they need to up the pace, at least on TV. Quick switches when a routine is done, give us the score later. Since this is a new event, NBC doesn't have to cling to their boring old formula of watching people wait around for scores.

 

[Doug1233]

The choreo was certainly.... interesting.

She has lovely lower body extension through the knees and toes but absolutely nothing in the upper body.

When people referred to Mustafina and her “carriage”, I used to think it was quite an esoteric concept but now I totally get it. She just has zero upper body elongation.

If you have to resort to this for your choreography, then you know that something is amiss:

 

[Doug1233]

 

[KorbutFan]

View attachment 13647

lol I’m waiting for the day when a gymnast does this to the judges after getting a low score

 

[Doug1233]

I’ve been scripting routines here, though I haven’t gotten to the American Cup yet.

COP Analysis - Week of 2/23/2026

Karina Schoenmaier - 2026 Cottbus, Apparatus Final https://youtu.be/mpG3AvFnl90?si=hwihoLumj52Xvjiw&t=126 Vault D Score #5.31 - Round Off ½ On - Front La...

docs.google.com

Double saltos with twist can only be downgraded when the twist is short by 90 degrees or more, so Pease would still receive credit for a Double Front 1/2..

I'd be interested in your take on both of these (I was 0.5 short on each):





As for the 90-degree rule. Of course the FIG incentivizes drilling double saltos with twist into the ground with full credit. Of course. But you dare not put both palms onto the table on your otherwise clean, high and safe Cheng and we will deduct 2.0!!

 

[MaryClare]

there are many things on gym Reddit that I’ll never understand, but fairly close to the top of that list is why they love Alba Petisco so much. I mean don’t get me wrong, her gymnastics is lovely to watch. If you’re only watching from the knees downwards

 

[RAFIKI]

View attachment 13647

I didn't mind this and thought it fit the mood of the music and choreography. Agree with all the comments about leg form/extension being great but upper body not so much. Doesn't help that her neck is very short.

 

[Doug1233]

Doesn't help that her neck is very short.

All the more reason to not do choreography that completely compresses her neck into her shoulders!

 

[Denn]

I think that the team event should have:

• all apparatus, 6 rotations
• 1 per apparatus
• 2-vault rule
• they go to floor and vault together, and HB and UB together, so it FEELS like a team event and teams can cheer each other
• women do 2 extra routines, to equalize Men vs. Women
• total score

 

[MaryClare]

Sorry, but she’s just Roberson with sangria and ankle extension

 

[Big_rock_show]

I'm not opposed to the mixed cup but I think the elimination thing and each round starting from 0 might be a hard sell.

I liked it resetting to zero because a team can employ a degree of strategy instead of getting a lead early on and blowing everyone out of the water. It kept the excitement level higher.

The amount of falls and unready routines is what got to me. Very few well-performed routines.

I also feel that it’s a really long way to travel for some of those gymnasts to just perform one routine, then go home. That part felt incomplete to me.