Event
Balance beam
Skill type
Turn
Value
E
Known as
Mitchell
Wolf turn triple
Tuck turn triple
Triple wolf
Named after
Lauren Mitchell (AUS) – 2010
About
After many efforts, Lauren Mitchell finally, successfully, barely squeaked around the wolf triple at a name-able competition in qualification at the 2010 World Championship in Rotterdam, then went on to seal the performance by completing a smooth one in the event final.
Little did we know then that it would become a skill we have to talk about forever. The Mitchell is tied for the most valuable turn on beam with the Okino, Wevers, and Sugihara, but it is by far the most commonly performed as the heavy majority of gymnasts would consider it far easier than the other three. It is typically performed by doing a double wolf turn, but instead of stopping at the end of the skill, spitefully chugging yourself around for an extra full turn through sheer force of will at negative 2 miles per hour.
For a time, the wolf triple had the same E (0.5) value as the 2.5, but in 2017, the 2.5 was downgraded, increasing the popularity of the triple. Also increasing the popularity of the triple was the 2022 rule change that only one wolf turn per routine could be counted. So if you’re going to do one, might as well do the big one. The only thing stopping the wolf triple is the audible squelch of eye rolls every time it is performed. And also, I guess, hard or whatever.
The wolf turn terminology is colloquial and not official. This is officially known as a tuck turn but is commonly called a wolf turn because it is done in the same position as a wolf jump. Which is so named because of…the reasons?