REPORT: Women's Semifianal
Source: FIG, P. Silacchi

Very high standard of performances and a good quality of gymnastics on all apparatus, apart from the Vault. All the gymnasts aimed getting into the to the top eight positions, and some of those who gambled with Start Values suffered. Of all the leaders in the Qualifications, only Svetlana Khorkina (RUS) finished the Semi- Finals as the leader on Uneven Bars again.

Vault
With not many clean performances seen, the Start Value decided the ranking.
Oxana Chussovitina (UZB) risked with more difficult Vaults, that she previously executed in Ghent’01 and the World Cup Qualifiers in the last few months. Her Handspring pike full twist was now - Handspring pike with one and a half twist. High SV 9.9
European Champion Natalia Ziganchina (2^nd) should improve her landings in the final if she wants to win; while for the Olympic Champion Elena Zamolodchikova (6^th) it is crucial to improve the SV for the second vault (her Tsukahara needs double twisting)

U. Bars
Very strong and exiting competition!
The Queen (Svetlana Khorkina, RUS) was “fantastic once again”, as described by the Russian Guru Leonid Arkaev. First place with another record high score of 9.762.
Courtney Kupets (USA) - very spacious bar work, impressive amplitude (2^nd), Ludmila Ejova (RUS) 3^rd, Petrovschi from Romania in 4^th and historic place for Great Britain in the World Finals for Elizabeth Tweddle (5^th).
“We are proud to have Beth. Her performance today was fantastic!” (British National Coach Zoltan Jordanov)
Yarotska (UKR)- perfect Stalders and Endos, perfect bodyline, 6^th Laura Van Leeuwen, from Holland (7^th), compensated for the little expected fall of the apparatus of Verona Van de Leur (15^th) .
“Of course we did not expected such a mistake, but this can happen to anyone. We are very satisfied with Verona’s qualification for two Finals (Vault and Floor) and Laura’s Final on U.Bars” – Rita Bijlholt, one of the Dutch National Coaches
Another very unexpected mistake- Zhan Nan (CHN) – a Final lost because of a stop  midway through to the end of the routine.

Beam
More unpleasant surprises- two of the medal contenders Zhang Nan, best in the Qualifications) and the reigning World Champion fro Romania; Andreea Raducan saw themselves down off the beam. Raducan- from full twisting tuck somie; Nan Zhang two falls
Ashley Postell (USA) and European Champion Ludmila Eshova (RUS) achieved equal high score of 9.612, while Khorkina, performed for third position 9.462, with recovered self-confidence after her fall in the Qualifications.
The Italian Ilaria Colombo (9.275), 5^th, is one of the new names in the list of Beam Speciallists to remember. Today she was even better than on Wednesday.

Floor
“The most impressive Semi-final! It will be very difficult to say who will win the title on Sunday. Fantastic level of performances!” (Leonid Arkaev) .
High standard. Olympic Champion Zamo only 12^th.
The American Samantha Sheehan 1^st with a very clean routine. Brazilian Daniele Hypolito – synonymous of difficulty! (2^nd). Mexican Brenda Magana- very impressive double straight punch front!!!!!
Surprise! Terin Humphrey (USA) looked as gracious as a Rhythmic Gymnast- nice to see this trend back in Artistic Gymnastic

(source: fig)