What is a Yurchenko double pike? Simone Biles makes history with ‘nerve-racking’ vault at US Classic

What is a Yurchenko double pike? Simone Biles makes history with ‘nerve-racking’ vault at US Classic
Simone Biles did the Yurchenko double pike vault while winning the all-around title in her first meet in more than 18 months (Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: American artistic gymnast Simone Arianne Biles created history at the US Classic in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 23, when she did the Yurchenko double pike vault while winning the all-around title in her first meet in more than 18 months. The 24-year-old, who last competed at the 2019 World Championships, is reportedly the first woman to successfully execute the bold move in a competition.

To do the Yurchenko double pike vault, Biles -- who will head into the US championships June 3-6 -- ran at full speed over a short distance before doing a roundoff onto the springboard followed by a back handspring onto the vault. She then concluded it with two backflips with her legs ramrod straight and her hands seemingly magnetized to her hamstrings. “It was really nerve-racking, but I’m just happy to be back out here. I’m not really mad about today,” the four-time Olympic gymnastics champion told NBCSN, before saying: “Well, I made it, so …”

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