Science of Simone: The forces behind Biles’ iconic Yurchenko double pike

By Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times

The most decorated gymnast ever sprints down the vault runway. She tumbles gracefully onto the springboard, flings herself backward onto the vault table and pops off the surface. Soaring through the air, she folds her body in half and grabs the back of her legs for two head-over-heels flips.

The crowd erupts when Simone Biles stomps her feet into the mat.

Another successful Yurchenko double pike.

“It just makes your mouth drop open...