The 2013 Valenti Gold Cup is in its second year. The Sarosta IFBB Pro event marks the last opportunity for many of these competitors to qualify for the Olympia in Las Vegas. Last year’s champion, Erin Stern will be back to defend her title and the Bikini division will be a competitive show to follow. The even will also play host to the Pro Men’s Physique division and a NPC competition.
Erin Stern is the obvious one to beat. She’s the reining Figure Olympia Champion and took top honors at this show last year. It will be a good warm up show for her heading into her title defense in Vegas. It’s not to say this show will be a walk in the park. Last year, we saw Kamla Macko match up fairly well to Erin and will likely be compared to her again this year. Kamla’s biggest challenge is posing with confidence but not coming across as arrogant. She fixed her shoulder poses from the back earlier this year when she competed in Tampa but came across a bit smug in her posing. If she can convey confidence without appearing arrogant it will help her. Seems silly but if you’ve seen it in person you know what I mean. She has a good chance of being in the top spots once again. Kim Sheppard, Candice John and Bernita Stuckey have all been in the mix before and could once again. Heather Nappi switched from bikini to figure and it’s paying off well for her. Holly Beck also continues to improve and if she can come in full and not stringy she could be in the mix. Agnese Russo has potential and if she can hit her posing from the back and lift her shoulder up when she does, she’ll be up there.
I don’t see Erin losing this one and Macko coming in a solid second. Who can round out those coveted top five spots and secure Olympia points, we’ll see. If Bernita or Kim are able to finish in second they’d lock in an Olympia top five, with one show to go. Bernita could also tie for a spot if she finishes in third. Beyond that no one would move up high enough after this show and be in the Olympia Point Series top five. They’d then have to go to the Tournament of Champions and finish in the top five.
2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Pro Figure
• Holly Beck
• Jennifer Brown
• Margarita Charaim
• Candice John
• Eleni Kritkopaulou
• Kamla Macko
• Heather Nappi
• Kiana Phi
• Kat Ramirez
• Kristina Rojas
• Agnese Russo
• Rebecca Schubeck
• Danielle Sereluca
• Kim Sheppard
• Melissa Smith
• Erin Stern
• Bernita Stuckey
• Jennifer Taylor
This is the last show to qualify for the Bikini Olympia. Gigi Amaurao sits in fifth place in the Olympia Point Series with 10. That’s a tie with Tawna Eubanks who is competing across the pond in Finland. Gigi’s biggest challenge is bringing her legs in small and tight enough. She wasn’t at her best in St. Louis and will need to tighten up a bit to be a contender in this line-up. Noemi Olah is currently in 4th place in the point standings and will need to have a strong showing here to stand in the top five. She’s improved her physique since last year and matches up well with this line-up. Yarisha from Puerto Rico has a great look and I would have placed her higher in Tampa, if she brings a similar look to the Sarasota stage she should be a top finisher. Sara LeBlanc finished in the top five last week in Sarasota and I wouldn’t be surprised if she does again here. She has a more athletic physique and it’s one that is a healthy, fit look. Stephanie Mahoe found success in her first pro show and will look to match it again. She’s been competing quite a bit this year and the big question will be how her body holds up after so many shows.
Brittany Tacy could be in the winner’s circle or she could be fighting for a top five spot. She was solid in St. Louis and wouldn’t have argued with her finishing as high as second there but she’ll need to be at her best to be in the mix once again. She too has an athletic physique and one that represents the division well. The x-factor will be Carolina Silva. She was second in her pro debut behind Courtney King. She’s a beautiful girl but was a bit softer than others when she competed in Tampa. I wouldn’t have placed her in second but I’m not a judge. I look for her to be in the top callout and for her to win this show she’ll need to be much tighter in her conditioning than in Tampa.
2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup Pro Bikini
• Gigi Amurao
• Yarisha Ayala Otero
• Angeles Burke
• Danielle Carr
• Maria Chase
• Joanne Holden
• Sarah LeBlanc
• Stephanie Mahoe
• Bernadett Matassa
• Noemi Olah
• Kamilah Powell
• Sana Shah
• Carolina Silva
• Simone Sinclaire
• Brittany Tacy
Prize Money:
Men’s Physique
1st Place $2,000
2nd Place $1,000
3rd Place $500
Pro Bikini
1st Place $3,000
2nd Place $2,000
3rd Place $1,000
Pro Figure
1st Place $3,000
2nd Place $2,000
3rd Place $1,000
For more information on this show visit: valentigoldcup.com.
