U.S. women’s gymnastics team increases lead after balance beam

Kyla Ross, the 15-year-old senior-level rookie from Aliso Viejo, led off balance beam for the U.S. with a solid routine that had no hint of major mistakes and was scored 15.133. Gabrielle Douglas had a large step on her landing but was otherwise solid and scored 15.233.

Alexandra Raisman, the surprising American all-around qualifier who beat out her American teammate Jordyn Wieber to join Douglas in the all-around finals, made her team finals debut on the balance beam. She had to fight to stay on the equipment on one pass and had a large step on her landing for a score of 14.933.

China continued to fall behind with more major mistakes on floor exercise.

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And starting after the U.S. on balance beam, Aliya Mustafina of Russia nearly fell off twice to score only 14.533. Victoria Komova, who was the leading scorer in the all-around qualifying, wobbled twice and then nearly went off the mat on her landing. The difficult routine was scored a 15.033.

After three rotations, the U.S. increased its lead over Russia to over a point. The U.S. had 138.230 after three of four rotations and Russia was second with 136.931. China was a distant third.

The finish will be the Russians on the floor first and the U.S. to finish on floor after the Russians.

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