I was surprised to see Barbara in this show because she's just been doing Nats for the last couple of years. She won the LWs in 05, but she didn't win the overall, and the overall winner gets the Pro Card. I didn't realize that the promotor would actually stop you from doing the show again if you've already won...that seems a little strange to me.
I think Barb's got the best shot at winning the class this year if she comes in more conditioned than she was at Nationals. I did see a couple of pics of Tracey (Islandgirl) who has switched from figure to BB, and she is PEELED...like Claire-peeled. Tracey may be lacking in mass a little, but her conditioning is going to be tough to beat.
I know barbara fairly well. She lives here in Southern California and i have seen her compete at the local shows down here in the past. She is one of the shortest girls in the entire NPC I believe.
She was the shortest and lightest to ever win at the USA that was a stat i read from the NPC Magazine after she won at the USA.
She has a cute physique. Not hard for my standards, but hard enough to win, obviously.
She did compete at the Nationals last year and was probably the front runner in the lightweight class because the year prior she had placed 2nd at the nationals and has the win at the USA, she ended up placing6th. It was a tough show placings wise for all of us.
At a show of this caliber( the USA) a lightweight is not likely to win the overall, thats why it surprises me shes doing the show again. She should stick to the nationals, shes a proven contender.