Skye Blakely reacts to Simone Biles trying out her signature mount on the balance beam for Gold Over America Tour

After the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles is taking some time to renew her skills catalog ahead of her ‘Gold Over America’ tour. Most recently, the gymnast shared a video of herself trying out the Silivas mount on the beam, a skill that her compatriot Skye Blakely is known for, leaving Blakely impressed with her attempt.

Biles has had a fantastic 2024 season—the American went undefeated in the all-around on the domestic circuit, with the Core Hydration Classic, US National Championships, as well as the U.S. Olympic Trials. Biles was particularly impressive at the National Championships, claiming a full sweep and winning gold in all five events.

From there, the 27-year-old went on to the Paris Olympics, where she won the team, all-around, and vault titles, as well as a silver on the floor. Now, Simone Biles is readying herself for the second edition of the ‘Gold Over America’ tour.

The gymnast shared a video of herself acing the Silivas mount on the beam, a move that has become the signature of Skye Blakely. The mount, also known as the neck stand 1/2, is an intricate maneuver and Biles certainly found it complex, captioning the Instagram story of her performing the skill,
“Skye Blakely idk how you do this everyday.”

Blakey had a simple answer for Biles as she replied,

I like it!! 😂 🙌🙌

Another skill that Simone Biles is learning ahead of the ‘Gold Over America’ tour is the ‘mushroom circles’. The ‘mushroom’ is a piece of equipment that is used to help men’s gymnastics athletes learn how to do circles on the pommel horse and floor events.
Now, not only is Biles acing skills on the women’s gymnastics equipment, but she’s also expanding her prowess to new events. In a video shared by USA Gymnastics, the Olympic Champion can be seen successfully completing multiple circles on the mushroom, a skill that requires considerable upper-body strength.
While Simone Biles is adding new skills to her collection ahead of her ‘Gold Over America’ tour, one skill that she is letting go of from her repertoire is the Yurchenko double pike. The skill is the highest-scoring vault in women’s gymnastics, but Biles will no longer be performing in the complex move in future competitions. In early September, the 28-year-old revealed the news to fans, even holding a funeral for the skill.