Here is Jaime's 2009 Figure Olympia Finals Review. See how everyone did and what the final placings were for the top 6! It was a great show, and congratulations to the new Ms. Figure Olympia Nicole Wilkins Lee!
The evening started off with a tribute to and a moment of silence for Ben Weider. It consisted of a heartfelt commemoration from David Pecker, President of American Media (AMI). Then, a short video narrated by Joe Weider and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger about the creation of the IFBB, the humble beginnings of their media empire, and the contribution Ben made to bodybuilding.
It continued with a short speech from Joe Weider himself about how much he loves the sport and the people in it. At 89 years young, the man is still clearly going, and with no less passion for the sport than he had when he started. Always an inspiration and source of motivation!
Now on to business...
Figure Olympia Finals
In case your memory is as good/not-so-good as mine, Gina Allioti, Heather Mae French, Amy Fry, Kristal Richardson, Erin Stern, and Nicole Wilkins Lee were all in the first call-outs of the morning yesterday.
I actually saw Nicole Wilkins Lee and Amy Fry in the International Food Court yesterday afternoon chowing some food (that may or may not have been diet-friendly). Clearly whatever they ate did them some good, because they both got called out again tonight in the Top 6 line-up. (All girls who were in the first callout yesterday were in the first callout again this evening).
What I like about Figure is that it's rarely as clear cut as men's/women's bodybuilding; there's not one competitor where you say, "Yup, that's it. She's gone it on lock for sure."
Maybe it's because I am a bodybuilder at heart, or maybe it's because I haven't followed Figure for as long as I've been following bodybuilding, but I actually like that fact that up until they actually present the awards, it's hard to determine for sure who's going to win at the end of the night. But it's that element of suspense that makes the aesthetic aspect of our sport so interesting!
 One-Piece Round
All the women came out in their one-piece suits (which I don't understand, but that's another article for another time...). It's hard to tell whether the girls tightened up, softened up or straight up spilled over when they're in their one-pieces.
However, I assume the judges have already decided where the women will place, so bringing them all out one last time is just a formality.
Yesterday, I think I heard Jen Hendershott say that the reason they have the one-piece round is so that they see if the girls pick a suit that's flattering on them.
I still don't get it. If that was the case, it would just make this more of a fashion show than an actual competition; so we'll just assume this round is like the Bermuda Triangle or trigonometry - an enigma to me...
Two-Piece Round
Gina Aliotti is looking tight, but not as shredded as she was at the 2009 Arnold. Maybe the judges told her to take her conditioning down a notch and come in a little softer.
However, I've heard interviews where she's said that the Arnold was her best condition to date, so I don't know why she would've given that up. Regardless, even when she's not as conditioned, she's one of the best figure competitors on stage.
| RELATED VIDEO: 2009 Olympia Weekend
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Figure Star Gina Aliotti Interview!
Ms. Fitness Olympia Jen Hendershott interviews Figure Star Gina Aliotti in her hotel room just after the 2009 Meet the Olympians event at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. See what 25-year-old Gina has to say!
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Watch More From This Series Here.
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Results
The 2009 Figure Olympia final results are as follows:
6) Erin Stern - This girl is so tight, she almost disappears when she stands sideways. Seriously. She gives the term "Wasp waist" a whole new meaning.
| RELATED VIDEO: 2009 Olympia Expo
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IFBB Figure Pro Erin Stern Interview!
The lovely and talented Erin Stern chats it up with TV celeb Mike O'Hearn at the 2009 Olympia Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada!
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Watch More From This Series Here.
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4) Kristal Richardson - I want to say something witty about Kristal having Tight Curves, but I can't think of a good joke at the moment (for those that don't know, Kristal is a spokesperson for Bodywell Nutrition company, the makers of 'Tight Curves' protein).
2) Gina Aliotti - Hopefully this isn't going to turn into a Shawn Ray/Jay Cutler (of the early 2000s)/Laura Creavalle situation where she becomes "always the bridesmaid, never a bride". This is the 3rd major competition in a row where she's been denied a win. But knowing Gina and her tenacity, she'll be back with a vengeance!
1) Nicole Wilkins Lee - I could have seen it going either way between Gina and Nicole. The placings probably had something to do with Gina's conditioning, but regardless, Nicole is a VERY deserving competitor.
| RELATED VIDEO: 2009 Olympia Weekend
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Nicole Wilkins Lee Interview by Jen Hendershott!
Go behind the scenes with Jen Hen as she goes from room to room at the Orleans interviewing the pros in their hotel rooms! First up, IFBB Figure and Fitness Pro Nicole WIlkins Lee!
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Watch More From This Series Here.
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Congratulations, ladies!
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