Kristy Powell

Kristen "Kristy" Powell (born February 13, 1980) is an American gymnast. She was co-national All-Around champion alongside Vanessa Atler in 1997. She retired from competition the following year.

Early life Powell was born in Stuart, Florida. Powell was raised by her mother along with four older brothers. Her brother Rusty taught her how to do flips, which she picked up quickly. The family relocated to Houston, Texas when gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi invited nine-year old Powell to train under his tutelage. That same year, Powell portrayed young Nadia Comaneci in a TV Movie about the Olympic Gymnasts' life. When Powell switched gyms two years later, the family again relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Competitive gymnast Powell made her competitive debut in 1991 at the junior national championships where she placed 9th. Powell's first international competition was in 1993, when she competed in a dual meet against Japan where she earned three silver medals. At the same event, Powell also won gold on the uneven bars.

Powell retired from competitive gymnastics in 1998. Years of injuries made competition too physically painful.

Cirque du Soleil Powell joined Cirque du Soleil as an aerialist in 2003. Powell performed in La Nouba as the first American trapeze artist in the show.