Hey guys,
Here Terry's assessment of the pre-judging from our real time blog on Bodysport. It will continue Saturday evening @6:30. It appears the "look" of figure is being reeled in a bit which should be much better for the sport and the competitors.
Kevin
http://bodysport.com/contests.htmlPittsburgh Pro Figure Show :: 29 Entries - 1 Pages
Result Pages: 1
Real Time Contest Coverage
Friday May 5, 2006 8:43 PM
After Pre-Judging (Terry Goodlad)
There were 24 girls in this lineup and the most significant observation tonight was that everyone barring one or two came much softer into this show. Not fat or out of shape, just softer and not as dried out. Jim Manion even commented that he was pleased and it looked much better. The judges seemed to be going more for shape and overall package more than hardness or muscle which is a welcome change as figure has been simply getting out of hand and losing its appeal. Not tonight, there were some very attractive looking athletes on stage and the show was very pleasant to watch but not so easy to judge.
Jenny Lynn is unbeatable in this lineup with her genetic lines, perfect balance, and overall presentation, she is in a class of her own and should not really be in this show but after missing the Arnold due to severe illness she needed to make up a couple shows for contractual reasons so she is here and will be in Denver next weekend. Jenny was very agressive with her food intake before the show and she was a little smoother than she was earlier this week but it won't hurt her one bit in this contest. This is a good show to experiment with different things and have more ammunition for the Olympia this fall.
Latisha Wilder presented her best overall package so far at this show. She was slightly softer and it looked infinately better on her as she carries a lot of muscle. She could chose a different cut for her one piece that would make her body look more flowing and sexy and less blocky but outside of that she was absolutely perfect. Her face, hair, skin, we are all outstanding. Her body is always incredible. If she does get second behind Jenny tomorrow, it will only be genetics as Latisha did everything she could for this show. Latisha should get second but of course thats just one opinion and who knows how this panel of judges will see it.
The rest of the first 5 or 6 called out look great. Zena is not her absolute best but she is much improved since her last show which was in Dallas last year. Jessica Paxson made some good improvements since turning pro last year, very pretty girl as well and that never hurts. Pauline Nordine looks better this show and Tara Scotti is much softer and less muscle and it suits her far better than the high level of muscle and conditioning she was so well known for before. This looks very good on her.
The trend this year so far has been to reward a softer and less muscular look so hopefully everyone catches on and endeavors to keep it appealing and under control. Its not bodybuilding, its figure and hopefully will remain that way. The judges of course play a huge role in determining the course of the sport but in Charlotte last weekend and here so far this weekend it looks like they are serious about bringing things back under control.
Come back tomorrow night for the final results.
