2013 IFBB / NPC Fort Lauderdale Cup Preview


The 2013 IFBB / NPC Fort Lauderdale Cup takes place this weekend in Florida. This show has served as the launching pad into the big leagues for a number of NPC competitors. Nathalia Melo made her NPC debut at this show in 2009 and went on to win the Olympia. India Paulino made her presence known at this event and took top honors at the 2013 Arnold. History will likely repeat itself in the NPC portion of the show.

ft lauderdale cup

The 2013 Flex Bikini model search winner, Janet Layug has been on a winning streak and gone two for two in the NPC Bikini. She’ll look to make it three in a row and I wouldn’t bet against. Every year or so there’s a woman who has the “it factor” and stands out head and shoulders above the rest. Janet is one of those women who just has “it”. She’s a natural on stage and has tight, toned physique with stunning good looks. This will be her toughest competition yet as there are always many top quality competitors at this show.

The IFBB Pro Bikini has a wide variety of physiques in the show and no clear cut winner, at least on paper, heading into the show. A few of these women competed on the Olympia stage and it will be interesting to see how they look compared to last month’s event. The winner of the contest will qualify for the 2014 Olympia. Second through fifth will collect points in the ongoing Olympia Point Series.

Gigi Amurao could be in the mix if her legs are down in size and she comes in tight mainly in her lower body. Jennifer Andrews will hold her own and the former beauty queen will look to get back into the winner’s circle again. Jennifer will have to be way off not to be in the mix here. Ashley Cronley-LeBlanc continues to gain more confidence and present with more poise, look for her to be a top five contender. Diana Becker brought a new, tighter, healthier look to the St. Louis stage a few weeks ago and if she presents a similar look here she’ll be in the hunt. Jennifer Dawn has been looking to find her groove again and Florida shows tend to favor her look.

Stephanie Mahoe found success straight out of the gate in the pro ranks after a hard fought road in the amateur ranks. She’s had a few weeks away from competition and will look to get back into the top 5 again here. If she brings a tight lower body she’ll be a contender. Noemi Olah will be one of the few blondes in the lineup and if her lower half is tight she’ll be in the mix. She has the looks and the presentation it will come down to her conditioning and how toned her backside is. Jessica Renee is a competitor who has the potential to be in the winner’s circle, it comes down to little details with her. Suit choice, makeup, hair and conditioning are hit or miss for her sometimes. If she brings it all together she could be top five. I like her look and she’s one who could crack the top spots every time if she puts it all together. Simone Sinclair didn’t fair as well as she’d hope in Houston but should move up into the top ten and make a case for the top five here. Angela Skeels won the NPC Nationals to achieve pro status and continues to claw her way back into the top spots as a pro. She’ll have her work cut out for her in this field but if she brings a relaxed, controlled presentation she could be a contender.

As I mentioned, there’s no clear-cut winner heading into the show so anyone could strike gold at the Ft. Lauderdale Cup today. If you’re following the coverage online search for #FLCUP and use that hashtag in your posts on twitter, instagram and facebook. It will help others follow along and see what’s happening at the event. Prejudging kicks off at 10am EST and the finals kick off with a red carpet event at 5pm. The event will also have IFBB Pro Men this year for the first time. For more info visit npcftlauderdalecup.com and check out photos on NPCNEWSonline.com throughout the weekend.

2013 IFBB Ft. LAUDERDALE PRO BIKINI COMPETITORS:
1. Gigi Amurao
2. Jennifer Andrews
3. Angeles Burke
4. Denita Clark
5. Ashley Cronley-LeBlanc
6. Jennifer Dawn
7. Maureen Doherty
8. Barbara Gonzalez
9. Diana Becker
10. Joanna Holden
11. Michon Leddy
12. Stephanie Mahoe
13. Bernadett Matassa
14. Noemi Olah
15. Jessica Renee
16. Satrice Rigsby
17. Erika Rivera
18. Simone Sinclair
19. Angela Skeels






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