Vanessa Atler was born on February 17, 1982 in Valencia California. Her mom, Nanette, is a tennis instructor. Vanessa has one brother, Teddy. She trained at Gliders Gymnastics until 1999. Vanessa then began competing for WOGA until the end of her career. She is currently coaching.

Vanessa began competing as an elite at the 1994 US Classic. In the junior national division she finished third all-around. Vanessa also picked up two golds, on the vault and beam. She finished her medal haul with a silver on floor.

In 1995, Vanessa began competing in the junior international divison. Her first meet of the season was the American Classic in Oakland. Vanessa finished fourth all-around and third on floor. Vanessa then traveled to Boulder, Colorado for the US Olympic Festival. Competing against the seniors, she finished third all-around and first on beam. At the National Championships, Vanessa took home two silvers, one in the all-around and one on the uneven bars.

She also made her international debut in 1995. At the Catania Cup in Italy Vanessa finished fifth all-around. She won a silver on vault and a bronze on floor. Vanessa also traveled to Japan for the prestigious International Junior competition. She finished fourth all-around and first on floor. She started her 1996 season at the American Classic. She easily won the all-around title. Her next meet was the National Championships. Vanessa had a great meet and won the all-around title. As the season was coming to a close, Vanessa traveled to France for the City of Popes Competition. She took home a silver on bars.

Her first year as a senior was meant to be 1997. However, the age limit was raised one year, leaving her ineligible for the World Championships. Her first meet of the season was the Visa American Cup. Vanessa finished second all-around and first on vault and beam. She then competed in the International Team Championships, held in Ohio. She helped the USA team to second place behind Romania.

Vanessa competed at the 1997 National Championships as a senior. She won the vault gold medal and the bronze medal on uneven bars. Vanessa tied for the gold in the all-around after a fall on bars. After Nationals, she traveled down under for two competitions. At the Foxsport Challenge, she led the USA team to gold and finished second all-around. She picked up a silver on vault, a gold on bars and a bronze on floor. At the Canberra Cup, Vanessa won the all-around title and the floor title. She picked up a silver on vault and beam and a bronze on bars.

In the beginning of 1998, Vanessa competed at the American Cup. She finished fourth all-around, but won the gold on vault and the bronze on bars. For the second year in a row, she competed at the International Team Championships. Vanessa helped the USA team to the gold medal. Her next meet was the Pacific Alliance Championships in Canada. She won the gold on vault and floor.

Before the national championships Vanessa competed at the Goodwill Games. She was very successful, winning the vault and floor crowns. Her next meet was the National Championships. Two falls off bars in day one left her in second all-around. She did win the silver on vault and the gold on floor. Vanessa made a trip to Melbourne, Australia for the Australia Cup. She won three golds, all-around, vault and floor.

Vanessa began her 1999 season at the American Classic. She won the all-around title. Vanessa had falls on the uneven bars at the American Cup leaving her in third all-around. She did win three golds on vault, beam and floor. Vanessa headed to Paris for the French International. She finished first on vault and second all-around. Atler came back to the states for the International Team Meet, helping the USA finished second. Vanessa travelled up state for the National Championships, held in Sacramento. She finished second all-around and first on vault and beam. Vanessa, suffering with an ankle injury, helped the USA team finish sixth at the World Championships.

After returning home, Vanessa packed her bags and left Gliders Gymnastics. She trained with Bela Karolyi before heading to WOGA. Early in the season Vanessa competed at the Pacific Alliance Championships in New Zealand. She finished third on vault. After a couple of months off, she won the all-around title at the US Classic. Vanessa continued to struggle with bars at the National Championships. She finished fourth all-around, second on vault and third on floor. At the Olympic Trials she finished sixth all-around.

Since 2000, Vanessa has been coaching at summer camps. She also appeared on the TV series, Starting Over.

Fast Facts Name: Vanessa Atler Birthday: February 17, 1982 Club: Gliders

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Six Time US National Team Member 2000: Olympic Trials Particpant 2000: US Nationals- 4th AA 2000: US Classic Champion 1999: Worlds USA Team Member 1999: US Nationals- 2nd AA 1999: American Classic Champion 1998: Goodwill Games- 1st VT, FX 1998: Australia Cup Champion 1998: US Nationals- 2nd AA 1997: Canberra Cup Champion 1997: US Nationals- 1st AA 1996: US Nationals- 1st AA 1996: American Classic Champion 1995: US Nationals- 2nd AA

Click Here to View Vanessa's Videos

Photos © Lloyd Smith