2026 Winter Cup (Feb 21-22)

[Passion]

I love that they’re doing this. If NCAA athletes are skipping elite for half the year, then they don’t need to be on the National team for the full year. There are gymnasts going to camps and competing elite all winter/spring who could use those spots.

That goes for non-NCAA athletes who skip the entire year and just make an appearance for Nationals and Worlds as well. If they’re not going to show up or compete for the National Team outside of a four month period, then they can be on the team for just that period. That frees up funding for developing the gymnasts who are slugging it out all year.

 

[MaryClare]

Sounds like USAG is “growing a pair” and not just saying yes to whatever the gymnasts want to do anymore

 

[rlayt]

I think it’s good that they tighten up the requirements. When it’s laid out in unmistakeable terms it’s fair.

 

[BB12]

I completely agree as well. There should be requirements to turn up to things when you are on national team and those that do turn up deserving the funding for doing so.

 

[irichluck21]

The MAG program has done this for decades. Hence why the Winter Cup used to be informally called "Winter Nationals".

I do think there should be an exception for World Team members and alternates though to petition, since they competed late into the year and might want time to recover and recuperate. Someone like Caylor deserves to be on the National Team regardless if competing at Winter Cup. She made 3 finals at Worlds. Wong won an AA silver at Worlds. These two should be allowed access to the NT. IMO of course.

 

[MaryClare]

The MAG program has done this for decades. Hence why the Winter Cup used to be informally called "Winter Nationals".

I do think there should be an exception for World Team members and alternates though to petition, since they competed late into the year and might want time to recover and recuperate. Someone like Caylor deserves to be on the National Team regardless if competing at Winter Cup. She made 3 finals at Worlds. Wong won an AA silver at Worlds. These two should be allowed access to the NT. IMO of course.

But if Caylor is taking the spring off from competition there is no need for her to be on the national team. She’s already qualified to nationals, after which she’ll rejoin the national team.