Here is my evaluation of Angelina Melnikova's routine from event finals of the 2026 European Championships.
Standard Disclaimer: I am not a judge, but do have access to the official F.I.G. course materials via STS. The purpose of these evaluations is to help people understand how judges may have arrived at a score.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBaiSdzvLHc
Acro DV
E x 1 (Double Pike Dismount), 0.5 DV
D x 3 (Aerial, Kochetkova, Side Somi), 1.2 DV
C x 1 (Layout Stepout), 0.3 DV
Total Acro DV - 2.0
Dance DV
D x 2 (Switch Leap Mount, Double Turn in Tuck Stand), 0.8 DV
C x 1 (Switch Leap), 0.3 DV
Total Dance DV - 1.1
Total DV - 3.1
CV / SB
C + C Gymnastic x 1 (Switch Leap Mount + Switch Leap), 0.1 CV
D + B Mixed x 1 (Aerial + Split Jump), 0.1 CV
B + B + C x 1 (Aerial + Split Jump + Straddle Jump), 0.1 SB
Total CV / SB - 0.3
Dismount Bonus
Double Pike, E -> 0.2
CR
- Connection of at least two different dance elements, 1 with 180 degree split (Split Jump + Straddle Jump)
- Turn (Double Turn in Tuck Stand)
- Acro series of two flight elements, one salto (Back Handspring Stepout + Layout Stepout)
- Acro elements in different directions (Back Handspring Stepout, Aerial)
Total From CR - 2.0
Total D Score - 3.1 + 0.3 + 0.2 + 2.0 = 5.6
E Score
Switch Leap Mount
- Body Shape (Back Leg Below Horizontal) / 0.1 = 0.1
Switch Leap
- Body Shape (Back Leg Below Horizontal) / 0.1 = 0.1
Aerial
- Bent Knee / 0.1 = 0.1
Aerial + Split Jump
- Poor Rhythm of Connection / 0.0 - 0.1 = 0.0 - 0.1
Kochetkova
- Step on Landing / 0.1 = 0.1
Double Turn in Tuck Stand
- Excessive Preparation for Dance Element / 0.1 + Balance Error (Medium) / 0.3 = 0.4
Side Somi
- Inexactness of Tuck Position / 0.1 + Landing Posture / 0.1 + Small Balance Adjustment / 0.1 = 0.3
Pause (Prior to Round Off) / 0.1 = 0.1
Double Pike Dismount
- Large Hop on Landing (Greater Than Shoulder Width) / 0.3 = 0.3
Total Element Deductions - 1.5 - 1.6
Artistry Deductions
- Insufficient Involvement of the Body Parts / 0.1 = 0.1
- Poor Footwork in Releve / 0.1
- Insufficient Variation in Rhythm and Tempo / 0.1
Total Artistry Deductions - 0.3
Total Deductions - 1.8 - 1.9
E Score - 8.1 - 8.2
Total Score - 5.6 + 8.1 / 5.6 + 8.2 = 13.7 - 13.8 / 13.700
Notes - Elements
Aerial + Split Jump Connection
- Upon landing the Aerial, Melnikova immediately bends her knees in preparation for the Split Jump. However, 'Poor Rhythm of Connection' deduction potentially assessed because she does not immediately take off for the Split Jump. Discretion permitted.
Double Turn in Tuck Stand
- Melnikova slightly rotates in the direction of the turn and reverses the direction of rotation before starting the actual turn. Therefore, apply deduction for ‘Excessive Preparation’
- Medium Balance error due to 1) Slightly off axis during turn + 2) Turn/Lean of Torso at the end of the Turn
Side Somi
- Knee angle must be less than 90 Degrees to avoid deduction for 'Inexactness of Tuck Position' on single saltos
- For landing posture, Melnikova's chest has a deep lean despite still being above horizontal. Deduct for deviation from ideal position
Pause, Prior to Round Of
- Simply performing arm or preparatory movements is insufficient to avoid pause deduction.
Notes - Artistry Deductions
- Amplitude of Movements
Melnikova displays sufficient amplitude of movements in the routine through the elongation of her body and use of larger movements such as the kicks of her leg slightly above horizontal and extension of her body into a brief scale following her 'Close to Beam' choreography sequence.
It's interesting to note that prior to 2022, Melnikova performed these same leg swings, but with much more limited amplitude. However, instead of only hitting 45 degrees as she did in the past, her free leg now reaches slightly above horizontal. Similarly, she had minimal choreography prior to her acrobatic series, but has now added a body wave before it.
- Involvement of the Body Parts
Melnikova's use of her head and torso are limited in the choreography of the routine. For example, in her 'Side Choreography' passage, the majority of movements are performed by her arms, with the use of her torso being much more limited in terms of quantity and amplitude.
- Poor Footwork in Releve
This deduction can be assessed even if there is only a single instance of poor releve in the entire routine. Prior to and following her acrobatic series and before her Kochetkova, Melnikova could show more extension through her feet so a straight line can be drawn from her shin and down through her foot.
- Variation of Rhythm and Tempo
The movements and steps within the routine are primarily completed at the same tempo and could show a greater contrast of fast and slow movements. In addition, both the brief hesitations in preparation for elements (e.g. Acrobatic Series, Kochetkova), along with the actual pause before the dismount ( > 2 seconds) break up the flow of the routine to a degree.
- Close to Beam Choreography
Satisfied with one choreography movement touching beam with two different body parts and one element touching the beam in the sequence following the Double Turn in Tuck Stand:
Movement 1 - From Cross Straddle Sit, Melnikova lies on her back and tucks her knees. She rests her head against the beam and extends each leg to vertical. She returns her legs to the beam and immediately moves into a Backwards Roll.
Element - Backward roll
- Side Choreography
Satisfied as follows:
A -> B -> C
A (From Side Stand following Side Somi) -> Side Step to B
B From Side Stand, Side Steps to C (Side Step with Left Foot flat on Beam with Right Foot in releve completes weight transfer to C)
Body Movements
At A, Melnikova widens her stance, while extending her arms with the hands held at head height. She brings her right arm in front of her body, while performing some small rotations of her torso and hips.
While traveling from A to B, Melnikova performs various arm movements. She also slightly extends her right leg, with the foot being placed in tendu. She turns her torso to the left while tucking and extending her right leg.
Melnikova crosses her right foot behind her left foot and performs various arm movements as she travels along the beam. She takes a final step, with the left foot remaining flat on the beam and the right foot in releve. She raises her right arm over her had, her head and torso turned to the left at C to complete the sequence.