LAUSANNE (SUI), March 21, 2012: Aix-les-Bains (FRA), truly a city of waters with its beautiful lake and world famous thermal baths, will play host to international Aerobic Gymnastics from March 24 – 25, 2012. For the second time under the FIG World Cup label, the Aquae World Cup will line up 45 gymnasts from ten different nations this year to start off the international season at Aix-les-Bains’ Congress Centre.
On the bill, prestigious contenders such as China, Japan, Mexico, Hungary, Great Britain and France with its World and European medallists, namely the Mixed Pair Aurélie Joly and Julien Chaninet as well as the Trio Benjamin and Nicolas Garavel and Maxime Decker-Breiteil.
A range of other events will be held parallel to the Aquae World Cup in an effort to further Aerobic Gymnastic development in France. Prior to the event an Aerobic Gymnastic cycle will be held in schools throughout Aix-les-Bains and surrounding areas. Over 500 students will participate in an interclass competition on Thursday prior to the World Cup.
The organiser
Founded in 1971 and directed by Jacques et Jacqueline Devillaine, the Aix-les-Bains Gymnastics Union has striven to develop its gymnastic activities by moving from a strictly Women’s Artistic focus, with an initial sixty members, to a range of activities that includes Artistic, Rhythmic, leisure and Aerobic Gymnastics; the Union regularly counts some 800 licensed members, including more than 300 for Aerobics.
As for Aerobic Gymnastics, this is the hub of the discipline’s national elite, and a large part of France’s competitors will perform on their home turf at this World Cup!
The Aix-les-Bains Gymnastics Union has been organising the international Aquae Open Cup tournament since 2007, which brings together athletes of varying levels from beginner to international elite. After four editions, the Aix-les-Bains GU decided to broaden the competition’s horizon by making it a FIG World Cup Series event for the first time ever in 2011.
Further information on the tournament can be found online at www.pole-gymnastique-aerobic.com
About 2012 FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Cup Series
The FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Cup circuit includes five category B events, all of which feature Qualifications and Finals in Men’s and Women’s Individuals, Mixed Pairs, Trios and Groups.
With stopovers on two continents, competitions are slated for March 24 – 25 in Aix-les-Bains (FRA), April 21 – 22 in Tokyo (JPN), May 18 – 20 in Ponta Delgada (POR), Azores, October 13 – 14 October in Liberec (CZE) and October 27 – 28 in Kufstein (AUT).
Participation is limited to two gymnasts, pairs or groups per country in each category. The top eight gymnasts per category from the Qualifications proceed to the Finals. In addition, should the host country fail to qualify in all categories, it may nominate one participant for a single category of its choice.
The world ranking points collected by the competitors during the circuit will add up to a total with the best four results counting, and the top scorers in each discipline will be crowned the winners of the overall series at the ultimate event in Kufstein.
Image © FIG
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