Ariel Barley is the 2023 Governors Cup Bikini Division show winner. Barley was one of 16 competitors that faced the judges in Sacramento, CA, on Saturday, July 15, and left the stage as champion. This win qualifies Barley for the 2023 Olympia Weekend in Orlando, FL, on Nov. 2-5, 2023.
A pair of rookies followed Barley in the standings to stand alongside her on the podium. Alexandra Vatthauer finished in second place, and third place went to Brittany Gillespie. The final standings for this contest are below, courtesy of the IFBB Pro League website.
2023 Governors Cup Results
- Ariel Barley (USA)
- Alexandra Vatthauer (USA)
- Brittany Gillespie (USA)
- Jordan Brannon (USA)
- Maya Astabie (USA)
- Cristobalina Pajares (Spain)
- Michelle Billett (USA)
- Marioly Galarza (Bolivia)
- Mia Bartschi (USA)
- Rudie Guerrero (USA)
- Brandi Lewis-Reed (USA)
- Brenda Garay (USA)
- Bailey Harrison (USA)
- Elisabet Vang (Faroe Islands)
- Victoria Harbus (USA)
- Alex Carrera (USA)
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Winner — Ariel Barley
This is Barley’s third season as a pro. This was her second career pro win. She first won gold at the 2021 Battle of the Desert Pro and subsequently competed in the 2021 Olympia, but she finished outside the top 15.
Barley did not compete in the 2022 Olympia but is eligible to return to Orlando for the 2023 contest. The pre-judging round was the only scored round of the contest, and Barley earned straight first-place votes.
Second Place — Alexandra Vatthauer
The rookie turned pro at the 2023 NPC Junior Nationals and put her new pro card to immediate use. Vatthauer made her pro debut at the Republic of Texas Pro, where she finished in ninth place.
This was a seven-position jump in Vatthauer’s second show. If she continues to transition to pro-level shows at that kind of pace, she could very well taste victory sooner rather than later.
Third Place — Brittany Gillespie
This is Brittany Gillespie’s second top-three finish in five shows so far in 2023. She took second place at the 2023 Klash Series Championships show.
Gillespie is in her first full year as a pro and appears to have the potential to win shows to advance to the Olympia, but will have to enter at least one more and win it if Orlando is to be part of her 2023 plans.
Other Notes
Brittany Carouse was on the roster to compete on this show but was not listed on the judges’ scorecards at the end of the contest, indicating she didn’t compete. No reason was given for her absence.
Featured image: @ariel.barley on Instagram
