Worley Whirls Into Third Cup

2006 American Cup runner-up Shayla Worley will make her third consecutive Cup appearance at the 2008 version March 1 in New York City. Worley, who will compete alongside U.S. teammates Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, the 2006 and 2007 Cup champs, respectively, hopes a strong showing will jumpstart her on the race to Beijing.

“It’s an amzing competition to start off this year,” Worley told Inside Gymnastics. “It’s so prestigious and I’m honored to get to compete it in it for the [third] time. I just want to start the year off right and hit all my routines.”

Worley’s American Cup sets will include a revamped floor routine and, possibly, an upgraded vault. “I actually just got a new floor routine,” she revealed. “[The music is] by Jesse Cook. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s kind of Spanish-y, but not really. I got it done in December, so I’ve had enough time. The first time [National Team Coordinator] Martha (Karolyi) saw it was Tuesday (January 29), at camp, and she said she liked it, so, I’m ready.”

As for debuting her double twist on vault (she competed a Yurchenko 1-1/2 last season) … “That’s the plan,” Worley confirms. “I hope so. We’ll see how it goes.”

At last year’s Cup, Worley was a last minute replacement for injured gymnast Jana Bieger and just missed the finals cut, which was limited to two Americans. (Worley, third in prelims, finished behind U.S. gymnasts Natasha Kelley and eventual winner Johnson.)

This year, the American Cup features a new, one-day format with three U.S. men and women joining athletes from seven other nations at Madison Square Garden, home of the first American Cup in 1976.

Coming off a hamstring injury that kept her out most of the 2006 season, Worley’s 2007 performance set the stage for a stealler season that culminated in a U.S. team win at the World Championships last September. She’s hoping for similar success in ’08, and isn’t pinning her hopes on an American Cup victory.

“Yes, there are other competitions but my ultimate goal is the Olympics,” she said. “I have to keep in mind that ultimate goal because it’s easy to get sidetracked with other things. I have to make sure I stay healthy and make sure my training continues on the right path.”

Inside Gymnastics will be on the scene in NYC to cover all the American Cup action and our next issue (March/April) will feature an in-depth, one-on-one with Worley. Only a few days are left to subscribe to receive this issue! Click here to subscribe or renew now to receive this issue.

Photo by Grace Chiu