Rebecca Andrade submits new skill 'Triple-Twisting Yurchenko': Everything to know about it and its effect on Simone Biles campaign at Paris Olympics

Rebecca Andrade surprised many after a video of her practicing the Triple-Twisting Yurchenko surfaced online earlier this month. The defending Olympic vault champion has now submitted the skill at the Paris Olympics 2024 to get it named after in the Code of Points.

Andrade’s move comes amid Simone Biles landing her Yurchenko Double Pike perfectly over the last year, more so in recent months. The YDP, which is named after her as ‘Biles II on floor’ gives the American an edge over her competition as she is the only gymnast in history performing the skill, which earns her a difficulty score of 6.4. Most of the top gymnasts only perform double-twisting Yurchenko, which is awarded a score of 5.0.

Andrade also does the double-twisting Yurchenko combined with Cheng in vault competitions at the International competitions. However, even if Biles falls while performing her YDP, the Brazilian still lags behind the American on scores. However, with triple-twisting Yurchenko now in her arsenal, she could challenge the seven-time Olympic medalist for the vault gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Rebecca Andrade’s triple-twisting Yurchenko starts with a round-off, back-handspring entry onto the table. After gaining a significant amount of height, a little less than what Biles gets during YDP, Andrade twists thrice with one flip in the stretching position before landing on the mat. It's likely to be awarded a score of 5.8.

Although it's less than 6.4 of ‘Biles II on vault’, the Olympic medalist is reported to be adding a cheng to it, which would see her match difficulty score of 6.4. While Andrade submitted the skills during the podium training at the Paris Olympics 2024 on July 25, she didn't perform it during the training. While it remains to be seen if it was a tactical decision or if she wasn't ready, the 25-year-old will need to perform it without an error during the competition to get it named after her in the Code of Points.

If Rebecca Andrade does perform the Triple-twisting Yurchenko during competition, can Simone Biles still win on vault?

2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships - Simone Biles (L) and Rebecca Andrade (M) (Photo-Getty)

Although Rebecca Andrade and Simone Biles have earned similar scores for the execution over the years, it was the difficulty level of the American's skills that set her apart, and that too by a huge margin. With Andrade looking to match the difficulty level, it sets for an exciting battle at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The Brazilian is very injury-prone, and she wouldn't want to risk anything unless she feels 100% comfortable with the Triple-Twisting Yurchenko. However, if she does perform, it would only give her a score of 5.8, still less than Biles’ 6.4 of YDP.

Adding Cheng to it would be more difficult for Andrade but if she does, the odds of winning the vault title would become even. Nonetheless, Simone Biles is a perfectionist and will still be more favored to win the title.