description Biles Vault (Yurchenko Loop) Overview
The Biles Vault, also known as the Yurchenko Loop, is a complex vault performed in women’s artistic gymnastics. It involves a round-off followed by a back handspring onto the springboard, then a powerful twisting flight through the air before landing on the mat. Developed and popularized by Simone Biles, it represents an elite level of difficulty requiring exceptional power, flexibility, and rotational speed. Gymnasts, particularly those competing at the international or collegiate levels, utilize this vault to achieve high scores.
help Biles Vault (Yurchenko Loop) FAQ
What vault is named after Simone Biles?
Simone Biles has two distinct vaults named after her in the FIG Code of Points. The first is a round-off, half-on front layout with a double twist, and the second is the incredibly difficult Yurchenko double pike. She successfully debuted the Yurchenko double pike at the 2021 US Classic.
How many twists or flips are in the Biles vault?
Depending on which Biles vault is referenced, it involves either a double-twisting front layout or two pike flips. The Yurchenko double pike variation requires a round-off entry onto the springboard and a back handspring onto the table. Gymnasts then execute two backward rotations in a piked body position before landing.
What is the difficulty score for the Biles vault?
The Yurchenko double pike, officially named the Biles II, had an initial historic difficulty value of 6.6 when it was submitted to the FIG. It remains one of the highest-difficulty vaults ever performed in women's artistic gymnastics. Biles first performed it in international competition at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp.
Has anyone else competed the Biles vault?
While a few male gymnasts perform the Yurchenko double pike regularly, it is exceptionally rare in women's gymnastics. Aside from Simone Biles, very few female athletes possess the raw power required to safely execute the skill on hard competition surfaces. It remains an incredibly exclusive club spearheaded by Biles.
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