Why is flexibility so appreciated?

[Medusa]

Here is the textbook Y-spin. If you do a Google image search on "Y-spin" this skater is the only one that comes up.

http://www.leigh-i-am.com/Nationals01/1801nats18.jpg

I consider that as rather ugly.

[Mathman]

The very simple reason they didn't invite Abbott to Skate America: Just once they wanted to have Evan win Skate America.

Yeah, that's the beef. Why would the USFSA want to have Evan Lysacek win Skate America just once, rather than to have Jeremy Abbott win Skate America just once (or even to have him participate just once)?

Why not invite them both, along with Oda , and let the chips fall where they may?

[MKFSfan]

Speaking of Rudy Galindo, in the later stages of his career he wasn't limber enough to do the Y-spin any more, so he switched to the front catch (not as much extention as Sasha, however.)

Rudy's Y-spin:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rnERrcZ9Y7...20/GALINDO.jpg

I don't think that is a front catch, I think that is still a side catch. Here is what I think is Rudy's front catch:
http://www.rudy-galindo.com/7951_26a.htm

My fave Michelle Y-spin was from You Raise Me Up: http://heatherw.com/mk/pics/events/n...x/DSCF6107.JPG

And here is Michelle's "I" spiral:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/conte...-extension.jpg

[Mathman]

I consider that as rather ugly.

Oh, goodness no!

Next I suppose you will say you don’t like this.

http://www.jayadeff.com/Campbells2004/IMG_2623.jpg

Or this

http://www.canon.lv/skating2005/gallery/19032005/9.jpg

Look, she can do it both ways. (Or anyway, pictures can be reversed. )

http://www.merlin-net.com/THUMBS/TDIR0173/X00106_9.JPG

My fave Michelle Y-spin was from You Raise Me Up: http://heatherw.com/mk/pics/events/n...x/DSCF6107.JPG

If I remember correctly, some people regarded Michelle's exuberant program-ending Y-spin as being sort of little-girlish, and she tried to work on variations that somehow sent out a more mature vibe. But the audiences would have none of it!

[MKFSfan]

What do you mean, Mathman? I don't remember Michelle's "Y"spin being too girlish...I liked when Michelle would do Y-spins on both legs, although the spin on her right skating leg/left free leg was much better in terms of extension.

[Mathman]

What do you mean, Mathman? I don't remember Michelle's "Y"spin being too girlish...

I don't know, there was just something about it that was gleeful and full of delight. Like she was saying,

"Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how!"