Now that we’ve had a solid day of “Simone Biles is back…IS SHE GOOD?” takes following the announcement that she’ll compete at Classic, here’s a look at her routines from 2021 (I used the ones from nationals) and how they stand up to the adjustments in the 2022-2024 code of points.
| BARS | |
| 2021 US Nationals | 2022-2024 Code |
| Weiler 1/2 + Maloney + Tkatchev D+D+D = 0.3 CV | Weiler 1/2 + Maloney + Tkatchev D+D+D = 0.3 CV |
| Toe 1/1 + Tkatchev pike + Pak D+E+D = 0.3 CV | Toe 1/1 + Tkatchev pike + Pak D+X+D |
| Van leeuwen E | Van leeuwen E |
| Fabrichnova F | Fabrichnova F = 0.2 DB |
| TOTAL | |
| Composition – 2.0 | Composition – 2.0 |
| FEEDDDDD – 3.6 | FEDDDDDB – 3.3 |
| Connection value – 0.6 | Connection value – 0.3 Dismount bonus – 0.2 |
| Total D – 6.2 | Total D – 5.8 |
The major compositional change required in Simone’s routines comes on bars because, if she were to perform her previous routine, she would get zero credit for the piked Tkatchev as the code now prohibits multiple Tkatchev variations without twisting from the same root circle—in this case a giant swing.
Because she is also already counting the maximum number of toe-on skills in this routine, the most straightforward solution would be to change one of the Tkatchev variations to be from a clear-hip, Stalder, or (heaven forbid) inbar circle so that she can get credit for both again.
Changing that first Tkatchev in combination to either a Hindorff or Ricna would add a tenth in skill value, restore the E credit for the Tkatchev piked, and restore 0.2 in connection value for that second piked Tkatchev series (downgraded from 0.3 CV in the previous code), which would bring her up to a 6.4 D score.
Either that or a more drastic reorganization of the bars routine.
| BEAM | |
| 2021 US Nationals | 2022-2024 Code |
| Wolf turn triple E | Wolf turn triple E |
| Aerial + split + straddle D+B+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB | Aerial + Split + Straddle D+B+B = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB |
| Bhs + layout so + layout so B+C+C = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB | Bhs + layout so + layout so B+C+C = 0.1 CV, 0.1 SB |
| Switch + switch 1/2 + back pike C+D+C = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB | Switch + switch 1/2 + back pike C+D+C = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB |
| Side aerial D | Side aerial D |
| Straddle 1/2 + split 1/2 (side) D+D = 0.2 CV | Straddle 1/2 + split 1/2 (side) X+X |
| Bhs + bhs + double tuck 1/1 B+B+G = 0.2 CV, 0.1 SB | Bhs + bhs + double tuck 1/1 B+B+G = 0.1 SB, 0.2 DB |
| TOTAL | |
| Composition – 2.0 | Composition – 2.0 |
| Acro – GDDC – 1.8 | Acro – GDDCC – 2.1 |
| Dance – EDDD – 1.7 | Dance – EDC – 1.2 |
| Connection value – 0.8 Series bonus 0.4 | Connection value – 0.4 Series bonus – 0.4 Dismount bonus – 0.2 |
| Total D – 6.7 | Total D – 6.3 |
Two code changes affect Biles’ beam routine, though the loss of 0.2 dismount connection value is counterbalanced by the addition of the 0.2 dismount bonus, so that one is a wash.
The only other issue is the change of technique for side jumps on beam, where the previous technique of 1/2 turn—split—1/2 turn no longer gets full credit. Biles could adjust the technique to get those 0.4 back and return to 6.7 for this routine (6.8 if she performs the double double dismount, but it’s not worth enough to be a thing)—or just ditch them, or replace them with other skills. Or whatever.
| FLOOR | |
| 2021 US Nationals | 2022-2024 Code |
| Triple double J | Triple double J |
| DLO 1/2 + stag G+A = 0.1 CV | DLO 1/2 + stag G+A = 0.1 CV |
| Switch 1/1 D | Switch 1/1 D |
| Wolf turn triple E | Wolf turn triple E |
| Front 1/1 + double tuck 1/1 C+E = 0.2 CV | Front 1/1 + double tuck 1/1 C+E = 0.2 CV |
| Switch + split leap 1.5 B+D | Switch + split leap 1.5 B+D |
| Double double tuck H | Double double tuck H = 0.2 DB |
| TOTAL | |
| Composition – 2.0 | Composition – 2.0 |
| Acro – JHGEC – 3.3 | Acro – JHGEC – 3.3 |
| Dance – EDD – 1.3 | Dance – EDD – 1.3 |
| Connection value – 0.3 | Connection value – 0.3 Dismount bonus – 0.2 |
| Total D – 6.9 | Total D – 7.1 |
Floor is where Simone has gained tenths in the new code without changing anything, as her top-difficulty floor routine from 2021 is unchanged in skill value and connection bonus but gets up over the heralded 7.0 difficulty mark with the addition of the dismount bonus.
| VAULT | |
| 2021 US Nationals | 2022-2024 Code |
| Cheng 6.0 | Cheng 5.6 |
| Amanar 5.8 | Amanar 5.4 |
| 2021 US Classic | |
| Yurchenko double pike 6.6 | Yurchenko double pike 6.2 |
On vault, everything is down 4 tenths, so that’s a loss in difficulty but one that everyone else also experiences on every vault.