2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Women’s Pro Preview


The IFBB Valenti Gold Cup is the last chance to qualify for the Olympia in every division except for Bikini and Women’s Bodybuilding (which has no remaining shows before the Olympia). Bikini has one more shot next weekend in St.Louis and Women’s but let’s focus on this show. This is the first time Patricia Valenti has held a show in Sarasota and she’s rolling out the red carpet for it. The IFBB show will have all divisions with the exception of open men & women’s bodybuilding. It will also showcase a number of NPC Hardbody men and women in the amateur event. Each of the pro divisions is very competitive. Let’s break it down.

 

HARDBODY 411

FIGURE
The figure competition is very competitive and there are a couple of women in the line up are hoping to land in the top five to gain more points in the Olympia Qualification Series. Erin Stern and Candice John are both qualified for the Olympia so the pressure is off them to qualify. The odds on favorite has to be Erin Stern. She added another win to her competition resume by taking top honors at the 2012 Australian Pro. I can’t see her losing this show unless she’s way off and we haven’t seen that from Erin since she was a rookie…many moons ago. Candice John has refined her physique and really come into her own but she’ll have her hands full to finish in the top three here. Look for Andrea Cantone to be in the mix as she’s been consistent this year with her conditioning and in the running for an Olympia qualification via the new points system. Aleisha Hart went back to the drawing board after her showing in Tampa and look for her to come in much tighter and improved from that show. The question is, will it be enough to place in the top ranks in this highly competitive show? Catherine Holland will look to get back in the mix of things but she too will have her work cut out for her. Tatiana Koshman made her IFBB Pro debut in Dallas and finished in third. She packs quite a bit of muscle but carries it well. If she brings down the backside muscle just a bit she’ll be a contender. There wasn’t much time to do any changes since Dallas but the only thing that could hold her back is her muscularity. The Dallas line up was a different looks with the physiques in the show, so we’ll see how she compares in this line up. Kamla Macko is my x-factor in this show and I think she could shake things up. She’s taller and has an athletic looking physique. She finished in 5th at the Tampa Pro in her pro debut and I look for her to be in the top spots here.

2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Women’s Figure Competitor List
1. Tiffany Archer (Washington DC)
2. Holly Beck (Sarasota, Florida)
3. Vickie Borman (Barbados)
4. Tivisay Briceno (Memphis, Tennessee)
4. Natalie Calland (Hilliard, Ohio)
5. Andrea Cantone (Boston, Massachusetts)
6. Vicki Counts (Calumet City, Illinois)
7. Tanya Etessam (Davie, Florida)
8. Aleisha Hart (Ontario, Canada)
9. Catherine Holland (Charlotte, North Carolina)
10. Candice John (Trinidad)
10. Tatiana Koshman (Spring, Texas)
11. Kamla Macko (Brandon, Florida)
12. Alessandra Pinheiro (Brazil)
13. Laurie Schnelle (Sarasota, Florida)
14. Erin Stern (Tampa, Florida)

Ron “The Yogi’s” Picks:
1. Erin Stern
2. Candice John
3. Andrea Cantone
4. Tatiana Koshman
5. Aleisha Hart

Isaac’s Picks:
1. Erin Stern
2. Andrea Cantone
3. Aleisha Hart
4. Kamla Macko
5. Candice John

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BIKINI
The Bikini division could go a number of ways. We have women in the line up already qualified for the Olympia and others who are trying to lock in a high enough placing to land in the top Olympia Qualification Series. We also have rookie debuts that could shake things up. Who are the contenders? I like Juliana Daniell and Yeshair Robles’ physiques. They both have athletic looks and they present with class and a little bit of sexiness without being over the top. If I were a judge (and let’s be clear I’m not) these two at their best are in my top 5 in the Olympia. Tianna Ta is already qualified and will look to build some momentum heading into the big show. She’ll need to come in full on the bottom,without being too lean in the abs and relaxed with her posing. Marcela Tribin landed in the point totals at the Tampa Pro with a different line-up. She’s have a much tougher time this show. Lacey DeLuca will make her pro debut after lighting up the amateur stage. Ron has her winning the show and I don’t have her in my top five. Which way will the judges go? Vida Guerra will look to redeem herself after her California Pro debut. If she can bring back the look and posing she had in Chicago when she turned pro she’ll move up. Adriana Hill has the looks but needs to up her energy on stage to move up into the mix. Aniedra Lynn is making her pro debut but might be carrying too much muscle for this line up. Lexi Kaufman moved up to 6th at the Pittsburgh Pro after debuting at the Bikini International. I like her look and the energy she brings to the stage.  It’s a tough show that could go a number of different ways.

2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Women’s Bikini Competitor List
1. Gemmalyn Crosby (Phillipines)
2. Juliana Daniell (Atlanta, Georgia)
3. Lacey DeLuca (Ocala, Florida)
4. Jessica Renee Fletcher (Miami Beach, Florida)
5. Vida Guerra (Beverly Hills, California)
6. Adriana Hill (Plantation, Florida)
7. Lexi Kaufman (Dublin, Ohio)
8. Sarah LeBlanc (Houma, Louisiana)
9. Aniedra Lynn (Daytona Beach, Florida)
10. Brnadett Matassa (Ormond Beach, Florida)
11. Cecile Palacios (New York, New York)
12. Yeshaira Robles (Bronx, New York)
13. Tiana Ta (Worcester, Massachusetts)
14. Marcela Tribin (Columbia)

Ron “The Yogi’s” Picks:
1. Lacey DeLuca
2. Juliana Daniell
3. Yeshaira Robles
4. Tiana Ta
5. Marcela Tribin

Isaac’s Picks:
1. Yeshaira Robles
2. Julianna Daniell
3. Aniedra Lynn
4. Adriana Hill
5. Lexi Kaufman

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FITNESS
The Fitness division is my favorite in any show. This is a great group or routines and the fans in attendance will be in for a treat. Myriam Capes, Ryall Graber-Vasani and Camala Rodriquez are all qualified for the Olympia. Allison Ethier, Kizzy Vaines and Vanda Hadarean are all hoping to finish in the top five an collect enough points to head to the Olympia.

The Fitness division is judged by their physiques and their routines. Nearly two years ago the IFBB Pro League changed the scoring in Pro Fitness. The physique is to be 1/3 on the score (two-piece swimsuit) and 2/3 of the score will be the 2-minute Fitness Routine. The 2-minute fitness routine scores will be doubled.

Here’s how I would rank my top five in this line up for Physique…
1. Camala Rodriquez
2. Ryall Graber-Vasani
3. Myriam Capes
4. Tiffany Robinson
5. Vanda Hadarean

In Routines I would go:
1. Myriam Capes
2. Vanda Hadarean
3. Kizzy Vaines
4. Jackyln Sutton-Abrams
5. Camala Rodriquez

So where does that leave us? Great question. When the prejudging is finished we’ll have an idea of who is in the lead but it’s not indicative of the final outcome. Someone who is outside of the top 5 in physique could have an amazing routine and be in the top spots. Regardless of where any of these women finish, I’m glad to see them all take the stage as it’s the one division where people can all agree, it’s entertaining and amazing to watch.

2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Women’s Fitness Competitor List
1. Myriam Capes (Quebec, Canada)
2. Allison Ethier (Quebec, Canada)
3. Missy Farrell (Ontario, Canada)
4. Ryall Graber-Vasani (St. James, Barbados)
5. Vanda Hadarean (Ontario, Canada)
6. Tiffany Robinson (Troy, Alabama)
7. Camala Rodriquez (Denver, Colorado)
8. Jacklyn Sutton-Abrams (Parker, Colorado)
9. Kizzy Vaines (Barnsley, United Kingdom)

Ron “The Yogi’s” Picks:
1. Camala Rodriguez
2. Myriam Capes
3. Kizzy Vaines
4. Vanda Hardarean
5. Alison Ethier

Isaac’s Picks:
1. Myriam Capes
2. Vanda Hardarean
3. Camala Rodriguez
4. Kizzy Vaines
5. Jacklyn Sutton-Abrams

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WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
The Women’s Physique division is one that has consistently showcased a variety of physiques. This weekend will be no different. Karina Nascimento has to be the favorite as she’s been victorious in the division already. The judges will have apples and orange in front of them when it comes the the differences in physiques and they’ll be tasked with finding a happy medium amongst the group.

2012 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Women’s Pro Physique Competitor List
1. Michelle Bates (San Diego, California)
2. Dayana Cadeau (Wilton Manors, Florida)
3. Rose-Ann Duvigneaud (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)
4. Gloria Faulls (Blackwood, New Jersey)
5. Karen Gatto (East Meadow, New York)
6. Erin Lawson (Clarkston, Michigan)
7. Frances Mendez (Mobile, Alabama)
8. Petra Mertl (Czech Republic)
9. Karina Nascimento (Boca Raton, Florida)
10. Toni Perdikakis (Sparks, Maryland)
11. Susan Salazar (Honolulu, Hawaii)
12. Christi Torborg (Ormond Beach, Florida)

Ron “The Yogi’s” Picks:
1. Karina Nascimento
2. Petra Mertl
3. Susan Salazar
4. Michelle Bates
5. Erin Lawson

Isaac’s Picks:
1. Karina Nascimento
2. Susan Salazar
3. Toni Perdikakis
4. Gloria Faulls
5. Frances Mendez

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Visit: http://www.valentigoldcup.com for more info.


EVENT SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2012
9:00am – IFBB PRO WOMEN’S MEETING
9:30am – IFBB PRO MEN’S MEETING
11:00am – NPC CHECK-IN & COMPETITORS MEETING (MANDATORY)
3:00pm – IFBB PRO PREJUDGING
6:00pm – NPC PREJUDGING

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8, 2012
11:00am – NPC FINALS
3:30pm – IFBB PRO FINALS
6:00pm – AFTER PARTY @ CEVICHE

*Celebrate with your favorite IFBB Pros, officials, athletes and fans at Ceviche. 1216 1st St. Sarasota.
Check in with hostess to receive a complimentary drink ticket. Music and dancing on the 3rd floor.

 

See ya there! We’ll be covering the event all weekend. Check back for more updates.

 






Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.