Last year, I did a couple comparisons (1, 2) to see what the major 2016 beam routines would score under the 2017 code, a way of examining who needed to make the most changes to their routines (and what kinds of changes needed to be made) to remain competitive in 2017.

Now that we’ve actually seen a hefty crop of reorganized 2017 beam routines, it’s time to revisit those same beam routines to find out who has been most successful in minimizing the loss of D—and how they’ve done it.

In the first column, you’ll see the gymnast’s 2016 beam routine evaluated with the 2016 code, and in the second column, you’ll see the current 2017 routines evaluated with the 2017-2020 code.

Let’s begin, as last time, with the composition queen, Sanne Wevers. Because her composition varies wildly basically every time she does a beam routine, I’ve combined her two routines from Euros to try to see the full breadth of what she may be intending to go for.

Sanne Wevers
2016	2017
Bhs 1/1 mount – E	Bhs mount + Wolf jump 1/1 + Bhs 1/1 – D+D+D = 0.4 CV, 0.1 SB
Double L spin – E	Double L spin – E
Side aerial + side aerial + aerial + wolf – D+D+D+A = 0.4 CV	Side aerial + side aerial – D+D
	Front aerial + split jump – D+B = 0.1 CV
Triple spin – E	Triple spin – E
L spin + single spin + double spin – C+A+D = 0.2 CV	L spin + single spin + double spin – C+A+D = 0.2 CV
Switch split + bhs 1/1 – C+D = 0.1 CV	Split leap + straight 1/1 + bhs – B+C+B = 0.1 SB
Gainer layout 1/1 – E	Gainer layout 1/1 – D
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – EEDDD – 2.2	Acro – DDDDD – 2.0
Dance – EED – 1.4	Dance – EED – 1.4
CV – 0.7	CV – 0.9
Total D – 6.8	Total D – 6.3

Sanne’s current combined kitchen-sink routine holds up OK, though she is still losing the full five tenths compared to last year’s late-season routines and hasn’t actually attempted this new 6.3 all together in one routine yet in 2017. Right now, that final split leap combo appears to be just a backup plan in case she doesn’t get her preceding spin combo, which makes sense since that final combo is a lot of deduction risk just for one tenth in series bonus. So, she may actually be intending a 6.2 right now, not 6.3.

The removal of non-rebounding acro CV was always going to be difficult for Sanne to adapt to, but she’s currently attempting to replace it with the opening mount combination. It’s a tough combo to get every time, but I do like the wolf jump 1/1 + bhs 1/1 choice. That’s a really valuable combination now that the wolf jump has been upgraded, and it’s pretty doable for her.

I also expect that what we’re seeing right now is work-in-progress stuff with 28 other CV backup plans ready for later in the year. Because Sanne.

For instance, she has broken up the side aerials from the front aerial for now, but those side aerials should still be used for series bonus. They’re screaming for some random B to be connected afterward for another tenth. (Or to combine two lines in her routine and do side aerial + Side aerial + split jump + front aerial. Very Sanne.)

Eythora Thorsdottir
2016	2017
Sissone + side aerial + Korbut – A+D+B = 0.1 CV	Split + side aerial + Korbut – B+D+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Split ring + sheep – D+D = 0.2 CV	Split ring – D
Illusion – D	Illusion – D
Split leap + aerial – A+D = 0.1 CV	Aerial + Split + Stag ring = D+B+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
L spin + switch split + Y spin + single spin – C+C+C+A = 0.3 CV	L spin + switch split + Y spin – C+C+C = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB
Round-off + triple full – B+F	Round-off + triple full – B+F = 0.2 CV
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – FDD – 1.4	Acro – FDD – 1.4
Dance – DDDCC – 1.8	Dance – DDCCC – 1.7
CV – 0.7	CV – 0.9
Total D – 6.4	Total D – 6.0

Eythora has been able to cut her losses to just four tenths fairly comfortably, predominately because she can take advantage of the new dismount CV, which mitigates her only major loss from the 2016 routine, the downgrade of the sheep jump.

The stag ring, one of the major new trends in beam routines, is something Eythora uses to great effect. It was so rare last year (as in zero Olympians performed it) that I didn’t even put it in the skill database, but now it’s everywhere because B dance elements are so useful yet there aren’t that many of them.

Flavia Saraiva
2016	2017
	Bhs mount – D
Bhs + layout stepout + layout stepout – B+C+C = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB	Bhs + layout stepout + layout stepout – B+C+C = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Round-off + layout – B+E = 0.1 CV	Round-off + layout – B+E = 0.1 CV
Full turn – A	Double turn – D
Switch split + split – C+A	Switch ring  – E
Switch ring + sheep – E+D = 0.2 CV	Punch front – D
Punch front + wolf – D+A = 0.1 CV	Wolf jump + Sissone – A+A
Aerial + aerial + side somi – D+D+D = 0.3 CV	Aerial + Sheep – D+C = 0.1 CV
Round-off + double pike – B+E	Round-off + double pike – B+E
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – EEDDD – 2.2	Acro – EEDDD – 2.2
Dance – EDC – 1.2	Dance – EDC – 1.2
CV – 0.9	CV – 0.4
Total D – 6.8	Total D – 5.8

It hasn’t been a super fun road on beam in 2017 for Flavia (and I’m not talking about that fall, which I chose to post again because come on…). Flavia’s D score has taken a big hit because she was relying so much on the sheep jump and non-rebounding acro. It will be difficult for Flavia to remain as competitive in 2017 without some major composition changes since she’s currently losing nine tenths, while the most competitive sets are losing four or five tenths.

Earlier in the year, we did see Flavia do a split and Korbut out of the punch front, which is a good 2017-code move and would provide her with an extra two tenths, but she’s going to need a couple more of those to really bulk up that CV total back to being one of the highest in the world.

Ragan Smith
2016	2017
Double wolf turn – D	Double wolf turn – D
Switch + straddle – C+A	Switch leap 1/2 – D
Bhs + layout – B+E = 0.1 CV	Bhs + layout – B+E = 0.1 CV
Full twisting back tuck – F	Full twisting back tuck – F
Punch front + sissone – D+A = 0.1 CV	Punch front + split + straddle – D+B+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Aerial + pike jump – D+A = 0.1 CV	Aerial – D
Sheep – D	Wolf jump 1/1 – D
Bhs + bhs + double pike – B+B+E = 0.1 SB	Bhs + bhs + double pike – B+B+E = 0.1 SB
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – FEEDD – 2.4	Acro – FEDDD – 2.4
Dance – DDC – 1.1	Dance – DDD – 1.2
CV – 0.4	CV – 0.4
Total D – 6.4	Total D – 6.0

Smith has also softened her losses to four tenths, but unlike the Dutch who have done it through increasing CV, Smith has done it through skill upgrades, adding a switch leap 1/2 and a wolf jump 1/1 to boost her dance element totals.

There is more potential in this routine to get even closer to 2016’s D (and not just by using the long-desired Patterson dismount). Smith has quite a few unconnected D elements in her current set, and with all the options for mixed series bonuses now, there’s really no excuse for not getting series bonus out of the majority of D elements, just by throwing a bunch of random Bs onto each side.

Acrobatic non-flight elements are eligible for series bonus, so I expect that trend to catch on at some point since there are a bunch of B non-flight acro skills sitting around, like one-armed walkovers. Those would be pretty manageable to use for series bonuses in side aerial or front aerial combos. (I mean, I want to rip my own eyes out, but it’s doable, just like the people who are throwing random back handsprings for series bonus.)

Several of those B non-flight skills are also close to the beam (forward roll, backward roll to handstand, back walkover from tuck sit, that side roll Shawn Johnson did) and could theoretically be used to series-up even a double wolf turn that currently seems like a standalone skill.

For those people who insist on starting their routines with two wolf turns (deathdeathdeath), I feel like they should be forced to put them on either side of a Shawn Johnson side-roll for 0.1 SB.

Larisa Iordache
2016	2017
Bhs + Tuck full – B+F = 0.2 CV	Switch + wolf – C+A
Round-off + “layout” – B+E = 0.1 CV	Side aerial – D
Double spin – D	Bhs + back tuck 1/1 – B+F = 0.2 CV
Switch + switch 1/2 – C+D = 0.1 CV	Front aerial – D
Aerial + split + wolf – D+A+A = 0.1 CV	Switch leap 1/2 – D
	Double turn – D
Side somi – D	Side somi – D
Round-off + bhs + triple full – B+B+F = 0.1 CV	Round-off + bhs + triple full – B+B+F = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – FFEDD – 2.5	Acro – FFDDD – 2.4
Dance – DDC – 1.1	Dance – DDC – 1.1
CV – 0.6	CV – 0.5
Total D – 6.7	Total D – 6.0

Iordache casually reconstructed her entire routine after 2016, and while its current incarnation loses too much compared to last year, this also has the feeling of a work-in-progress routine. She could simply add back combinations from last year (like the switch to switch half) to get her CV back up, and I anticipate that will be the plan since there are too many unconnected Ds in the current set.

Although, dropping that layout is a good call. Even if it lowers the D score, it’s worth it for the increased execution score.

Pauline Schaefer
2016	2017
Switch ring = E	Switch leap mount + split leap + Y spin – D+B+C = 0.1 SB
Bhs + layout stepout – B+C	Bhs + layout stepout – B+C
Aerial + side somi – D+D = 0.1 CV	Switch ring – E
Double spin – D	Double spin – D
Side somi 1/2 – E	Side somi 1/2 – E
Full turn + side aerial – A+D = 0.1 CV	Side somi – D
Sheep – D	Aerial + split + wolf – D+B+A = 0.1 CV
	Side aerial – D
Gainer layout – D	Gainer layout – C
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – EDDDD – 2.1	Acro – EDDDC – 2.0
Dance – EDD – 1.3	Dance – EDD – 1.3
CV – 0.2	CV – 0.2
Total D – 6.1	Total D – 5.5

I was interested to see how Schaefer would choose to maneuver the new code because the new COP basically looked at her old routine and was like, “This is everything we want to get rid of.” All of her CV from 2016 was eliminated, and her dismount got downgraded.

Schaefer is staying afloat using a dance element mount series (theoretically), but will also need do more through connections to be a medal contender on beam again. That wolf jump is crying out to be changed to get another tenth in series bonus.

Angelina Melnikova
2016	2017
Wolf turn 2.5 – E	Wolf turn 2/1 – D
	Aerial + Split + Straddle – D+B+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Switch ring – E	Switch ring – E
Bhs + bhs + layout + split + wolf – B+B+E+A+A = 0.3 CV	Bhs + bhs + layout –  B+B+E = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Punch front + sissone – D+A = 0.1 CV	Punch front + ring – D+B = 0.1 CV
Sheep – D	L turn + Full turn – C+A = 0.1 CV
Aerial – D
Side somi – D	Side somi – D
Round-off + double pike – B+E	Round-off + double pike – B+E
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – EEDDD – 2.2	Acro – EEDDD – 2.2
Dance – EED – 1.4	Dance – EDC – 1.2
CV – 0.4	CV – 0.6
Total D – 6.5	Total D – 6.0

Melnikova has done well to add new CV in pretty much all the available places, which mitigates some of the dance element downgrades. She’s losing just the baseline five-tenths compared to last year’s routine. Of course, the main argument against Melnikova’s routine is not the use of the code but that fact that she can’t hit that layout.

Shang Chunsong
2016	2017
	Loso mount – E
Bhs + bhs + layout + split + straddle – B+B+E+A+A = 0.3 CV	Bhs + bhs + layout – B+B+E = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Switch 1/2 – D	Split + Straddle – B+B
Bhs + layout stepout – B+C	Switch 1/2 – D
Punch front – D	Switch + Korbut – C+B
Double spin – D	Double spin – D
Aerial + sheep – D+D = 0.2 CV	Aerial + stag ring – D+B = 0.1 CV
Side aerial + sissone – D+A = 0.1 CV	Side aerial – D
Round-off + triple full – B+F	Round-off + triple full – B+F = 0.2 CV
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – FEDDD – 2.3	Acro – FEEDD – 2.4
Dance – DDD – 1.2	Dance – DDC – 1.1
CV – 0.6	CV – 0.5
Total D – 6.6	Total D – 6.0

Can we have an important discussion about how the layout stepout mount is now worth the same as the front pike mount? I’m all for encouraging mounts through upgrade (although the loso mount was a D even before this year, and it’s kind of amusing to me that everyone just discovered it exists), but let’s also be sure to manintain the difficulty rankings.

Shang does suffer some downgrades but, like Thorsdottir, is saved by the dismount CV. I expect that the switch + straddle is intended to be used in a more valuable way as well, along with that weird switch + Korbut right now that isn’t doing anything and reads like a placeholder.

Claudia Fragapane
2016	2017
Arabian – F	Arabian – F
Switch + sheep – C+D = 0.1 CV	Switch + wolf – C+A
Bhs + layout full – B+G = 0.2 CV	Bhs + layout – B+E = 0.1 CV
Side aerial – D	Back tuck full – F
Back tuck full – F	Tuck jump 1/2 (side) – C
Full turn – A	Full turn – A
Switch 1/2 – D	Wolf jump 1/1 – D
Bhs + bhs + double pike – B+B+E = 0.1 CV	Bhs + bhs + back 2/1 – B+B+C = 0.1 SB
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – GFFED – 2.8	Acro – FFECB – 2.2
Dance – DDC – 1.1	Dance – DCC – 1.0
CV – 0.4	CV – 0.2
Total D – 6.8	Total D – 5.4

Admittedly, this is a seriously downgraded routine for Fragapane, but at the same time, we’ve been wanting Frags to downgrade for a while now to a more manageable routine, so many aspects of this routine are smarter, even if lower in value. Still, I don’t expect it to last.

I doubt a gymnast of Fragapane’s acrobatic skill will stick with such a simple dismount (the dismount is where she should be going for her difficulty), but using a three series into a C dismount will be a really smart choice for lots of gymnasts this quad because the series bonus makes it worth exactly the same as a round-off + D dismount. I’d imagine anyone doing a round-off + 2.5 is planning to try to learn a double full out of two back handsprings instead, since the increased likelihood of a stick makes it that much more valuable. It would mean being forced to count a C skill, but most gymnasts are planning to count a C anyway.

Liu Tingting
2016	2017
	Front pike mount – E
Front handspring + front tuck – B+D = 0.2 CV	Front handspring + front tuck – B+D = 0.2 CV
Switch ring + sheep – E+D = 0.2 CV	Switch + splt ring + Korbut – C+D+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB
Full turn – A	Full turn – A
Ring leap – D
Split + side aerial + sissone – A+D+A = 0.2 CV	Split + side aerial – B+D = 0.1 CV
Aerial + switch + back tuck – D+C+C = 0.2 CV	Aerial + split ring + bhs – D+D+B = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB
	Switch ring – E
Round-off + double tuck – B+D	Round-off + double tuck – B+D
CR – 2.5	CR – 2.0
Acro – DDDDC – 1.9	Acro – EDDDD – 2.1
Dance – EDD – 1.3	Dance – EDD – 1.3
CV – 0.8	CV – 0.8
Total D – 6.5	Total D – 6.2

From the very first world cup of the year, Liu has been the most successful at using the new code to her advantage, a combination of element upgrades like the new mount and the ability to squeeze CV out of most of the elements in her routine without many standalone pieces.

If Liu were to add a split and straddle to her mount, which she has been toying with at times this year, she’d pick up another two tenths and basically experience no drop in value from last season despite the loss of CR.