Mathman wrote in the 1994 Sato-Bonaly thread
The cross-foot spin is a venerable traditional spin that Sonja Henie among others used back in the day.
See the end of this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klMrtM8-QuE
Occasionally used as a required element for men in places where a layback would have been required for ladies, as in short programs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geG-1aUqMyg (from forward spin, @ about 1:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klMrtM8-QuE (from backspin; first element)
Or for choreographic purposes without requirements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miu-20eAjFc&feature=related @1:58
(and in the immediately preceding spin he holds his free leg to the side for 3 revs for choreographic reasons)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzCTd2QFo1k @3:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgOcr2qAuM in flying combo @3:40
Edited to add:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3dGGYO8fxY
Free leg held out straight for 6 revs at the beginning of the final spin, @3:50
I just do not see how holding your leg out to the side for eight revolutions or crossing your feet on the ice adds anything of value to a skating program.
The cross-foot spin is a venerable traditional spin that Sonja Henie among others used back in the day.
See the end of this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klMrtM8-QuE
Occasionally used as a required element for men in places where a layback would have been required for ladies, as in short programs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geG-1aUqMyg (from forward spin, @ about 1:40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klMrtM8-QuE (from backspin; first element)
Or for choreographic purposes without requirements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miu-20eAjFc&feature=related @1:58
(and in the immediately preceding spin he holds his free leg to the side for 3 revs for choreographic reasons)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzCTd2QFo1k @3:38
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UgOcr2qAuM in flying combo @3:40
Edited to add:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3dGGYO8fxY
Free leg held out straight for 6 revs at the beginning of the final spin, @3:50
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