Why Did They Get Rid of Spirals As A Requirement In Ladies Skating?
- Thread starter Parksideprince
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- Mar 26, 2018
I wish that more skaters did spirals, but I'm glad they are no longer required for ladies. I remember when they had to do three positions and hold each one for several seconds. (The 2005-2008-ish era?) It was glorious when a skater excelled at spirals, but ghastly when they did not. I do think that a beautiful spiral should be rewarded with more points.
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No requirements. Nothing that requires spirals or laybacks. Optional only.
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- Jun 16, 2008
While Nicole had a lovely extension on her spirals, they were done on flats, not edges.
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- Jan 11, 2014
I agree with Karne in that I don't think it should be required but it is nice to see one well done. If you can do a nice one then I think the judges will reward you for one. I think there are men who do nice spirals right? Jason Brown springs to mind but there are others.
My only wish about spirals is that if you are going to do it that you hold it for more than 2 seconds. Let us enjoy the moment a bit.
My only wish about spirals is that if you are going to do it that you hold it for more than 2 seconds. Let us enjoy the moment a bit.
some Bobek spirals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JhxN7dbSIs&t=1m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oZqOaWS9YY&t=1m35s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMqXTFEhGek&t=3m22s
The very definition of a spiral (if you can tell the pattern despite the camera angle switch in the middle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loIVqNZP8Sc&t=3m47s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JhxN7dbSIs&t=1m10s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oZqOaWS9YY&t=1m35s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMqXTFEhGek&t=3m22s
The very definition of a spiral (if you can tell the pattern despite the camera angle switch in the middle)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loIVqNZP8Sc&t=3m47s
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- Jan 17, 2014
I agree it ought to be optional. Not everyone has the flexibility to do it nicely. Besides, spirals are expected to be done on an edge, otherwise, it can’t really spiral down. Being able to control the edge and hold the positions will reap rewards in both the CO, TR and also the SS.
Well, the lack of great spirals is one of the reasons why I no longer watch ladies (except for Nationals, Worlds & the Olympics). Because, if some vapid song (with equally vapid lyrics) is playing, how can you insert a magnificent spiral and, God forbid, a change edge spiral? They're both extremely difficult to do well but hey, the jumps are more important & more exciting. I still love competitive figure skating but have moved on to ice dance.
Go watch Anastasiia Gubanova and tell me you don’t like any Russian programs.
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- Jan 28, 2014
I think execution/quality should be rewarded more than quantity, so then we will see moves that aren't rushed.
Aside from spirals, one of the most painful things to watch is a poorly executed ina bauer that lasts for like a blink. I'm sure skaters can perform way better than that.
Kamila's ina bauer in the FS.. What she can actually do.
Aside from spirals, one of the most painful things to watch is a poorly executed ina bauer that lasts for like a blink. I'm sure skaters can perform way better than that.
Kamila's ina bauer in the FS.. What she can actually do.
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- Nov 12, 2011
i do want to chime in and say that bauer in her program REALLY irks me. i don't see the point in it being included in the choreography because it's literally held for half a second. what purpose does it serve?
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- May 10, 2010
I wouldn't mind an unleveled choreo layback spin in the short. I just find the spins to be too similar between all the skaters and it has turned a once classic and beautiful element into a contorted version of itself that's more about how fast you can do a Biellmann at the end than the actual layback. (It has also effectively cut out the Biellmann from the combo spin since it's an extra feature for the layback.) Otherwise, yeah, the addition of a choreo spin in the free would do wonders to wow the crowd.
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- Jan 17, 2014
Such a pity for the blink and it will be gone Ina Bauer. Same for the spirals which is why I rather they all be optional in the choreo sequence. A well done spiral sequence element perhaps cannot score you the sort of points that a jump can bring, but it can indirectly add to the TR and also the SS if the edge control and change of edge is good, plus add to the choreo. It can be a nice PCS point booster. Still, there are very few skaters who can do a spiral at high level edge control plus the extension and line beauty like Michelle Kwan.
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No. No requirement. It feeds into the sexist view that all women are flexible.
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- May 10, 2010
I find it to be the opposite: that women are actually better than men when it comes to this spin because they are more flexible in general at peak athleticism and I have no problem highlighting that. Much how women I think are just better at balance beam than men are, but I don't ask that the entire event be eliminated because the apparatus is somehow sexist.
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- Oct 20, 2017
Same, I'd really love her program if not for that Ina Bauer (also, there is another spiral that isn't exactly held for a long time and ends just as she gets into position). One could say that it's an 'easy' difficult entrance into the jump, but she does steps after, so the bullet would be awarded anyway. Maybe the choreographer thought that it fits the music (it kinda does, but a long one would fit even better). Kamila has such beautiful lines, a good spiral across the rink could be a true wow moment.
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It is sexist because it promotes the myth that all women are flexible. They are not, just not all men are inflexible (hello, Jason?).
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