Saturday, February 7, 2009

Kristina Baskett - U of U Gymnastics

Confession time!

I don't know much about gymnastics other than I love to watch it during the Olympics. I don't know the rules, I don't know the traditions, I don't know what makes a good gymnast good. WHAT I DO KNOW is there are some people that are just FUN TO WATCH.

There are some gymnasts who, when they finish their routine, they may or may not get high scores, but I find I just don't care. There are others who, if I could watch them "all over again", they would totally make my day.

One such gymnast is Kristina Baskett. I saw her last night. I was touched. I can officially say, I love this girl! She has grace and style and an excellence that earns her top scores in one of the highest scoring teams in the nation. I could watch her all over again and enjoy the experience more and more each time.

Now admittedly, at some 30 rows up, we didn't have the best seats in the house (how I would love to be down on the floor!), but I had my trusty sports shooter Canon 1D Mark III with a long Canon 100-400 f/4-5.6L IS lens. It's a relative slow lens (which meant shooting higher ISO than I would have liked), but the length of the lens let me get some decent shots even from high above.

On to the pictures!


The very first thing that I noticed right off the bat watching Kristina was that I love her lines. My daughter asked what I meant by that. My answer is the way she holds her body. Everything seems to be on purpose. Fully extended, or bent whichever way, it's like poetry in motion.

Just ... take a look!

Kristina Baskett
Even while her arm is fully extended (seemingly drawing attention to that part of her body), even her feet and toes are purposely posed.

Kristina Baskett
Again, watch the fingers and toes.

Kristina Baskett
And what a gymnast! Such grace AND power! Pardon me for not expecting her to leap so high that I cut off her fingers! (but again, fingers, toes, leg position)


And talk about fun to watch! :)

Kristina Baskett
Wow, I would love to be where those photographers are sitting!

Kristina Baskett
Well deserved hugs from her teammates!

Kristina Baskett
Shoulders, hands, toes. I love watching her!

Kristina Baskett

Kristina Baskett

Kristina Baskett

Kristina Baskett
She won me over with her smile!

Kristina Baskett
Super girl! She flies!!! :)

Kristina Baskett
I could almost swear she caught me looking at her!

Kristina Baskett
I'll say it again. I love her lines!

Kristina Baskett
So much fun!

Kristina Baskett

Kristina Baskett

Kristina Baskett
More well deserved hugs!

Kristina Baskett
Top scoring gymnast of the evening!

Kristina Baskett
Go Kristina! GO UTES!

Do you agree with me? I think she's definitely worth watching. I would love to see her again. I'll be routing for her!

Cool video link I found: Meet Kristina Baskett

More pictures of Kristina and many others can be found on my website.