She's not "much better", she has a different style and she doesn't have the pressure to be the number one gymnast and this can allow her to have more artistic exercises rather than atlethic. Averinas exercises when they were not top gymnasts in the Russian ranking (back when there was a different code too) were a lot more fun than now. Now for them it's just a display of master handling tecnique and speed rather than art, so give them some slack, they are not the one costructing their programs.

@@mysticjc I understand you comment and maybe is only myself with this opinion. Pobedushikina style and fluidity, the way she handle the apparatus... makes her special for me but this is my opinion. When the Averinas were not on the top they were not still my favorite in term of style, They are unbelievable and exciting gymnastics and they deserve all what they accomplished but they have a style that is not my favorite and BTW I prefer Arina than Dina ...I follow gr for about 40 years but Im not very attached to the codes, just like the sport as a form of expression...I give to the Averinas all the credit! They are super hard workers and full of talent and I apologize if my comment gave the wrong impression. I just want to give more value to Maria:-)

She is beautiful . long legs perfect figure and quite a presence on the carpet. Her lines and transitions from element to element are also quite refine. The problem is the current code of points, which doesn't give a second for the gymnasts to breathe and show some soul in their routines. It is a mad rush all the time, Pobedushkina somehow manage to shine with personality thou this, this is what makes her on the top of my list together with Halkina and Solos.

I never thought routines could look this beautiful with the current CoP until I saw Pobedushkina, I hope she's at the forefront of the next cycle and the new CoP compliments her skills better!