Why is flexibility so appreciated?

[Mathman]

i thought for I spin your foot has to be stretched in front of you not on your side.

Classically (that is, going all the way back to 2003 ) I think that's right.

The classic I-spin.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ha_Cohen_2.jpg

The classic Y-spin. (Rudy Galindo By the way, Rudy got in trouble with the USFSA for doing this move. Only ladies are supposed to pose for crotch shots.)

http://photos.skatetoday.com/albums/...t/IMG_3215.jpg

But now everyone is coming up with their own variations. I don't know what to call Alissa's spiral , posted by MKFSfan.

http://www.skateygirl.com/nat2006/sr...%20221_jpg.jpg

First, it's a spiral, not a spin. If she were holding her leg with the other hand it would by a Y-spiral. With that cross-hand catch with her leg behind her right shoulder -- I don't know what to call it, but it's pretty cool.

[Medusa]

The classic Y-spin. (Rudy Galindo By the way, Rudy got in trouble with the USFSA for doing this move. Only ladies are supposed to pose for crotch shots.)

That was a joke, right?

[Mathman]

That was a joke, right?

I wish.

Galindo was the first openly gay US figure skater. He was roundly criticised for including "feminine" moves in his skating. He felt that the US Figure Skating Association never gave him his due, for this reason.

The last straw was being virtually ignored as the U.S. champion in 1996 (he was not invited to Skate America, etc.)

But he got his revenge with his signature professional program, YMCA -- the rockingest, rollingest show program EVAH!

[gkelly]

being virtually ignored as the U.S. champion in 1996 (he was not invited to Skate America, etc.)

Of course, Jeremy Abbott was not invited to Skate America in 2009 for the exact same reason, for whatever that's worth.

[seniorita]

If she were holding her leg with the other hand it would by a Y-spiral. With that cross-hand catch with her leg behind her right shoulder -- I don't know what to call it, but it's pretty cool.

i thought it might had something with the supporting hand, but up until now i thought the name was given according to where your leg is up and toe is pointing.
I havent seen much of Galindo, and i searched a bit youtube for this program you said, but i didnt find it, i saw a very nice swan lake though..

[snowflake]

Of course, Jeremy Abbott was not invited to Skate America in 2009 for the exact same reason, for whatever that's worth.

What do you mean? That "He was roundly criticised for including "feminine" moves in his skating." ...or that he is openly gay?

[Mathman]

I havent seen much of Galindo, and i searched a bit youtube for this program you said, but i didnt find it, i saw a very nice swan lake though..

I couldn't find it either. It should be called "Village People" or "YMCA," and he performed it on COI off and on for many years. "Send in the Clowns" is another good one.

Galindo had a really hard life and overcame many obstacles finally to become a successful skater/entertainer.

Edited to add: There might be a copyright problem involving the music. I did find Send in the Clowns, but it is picture only. The audio was disabled because of copyright.

What do you mean? That "He was roundly criticised for including "feminine" moves in his skating." ...or that he is openly gay?

What GKelly is referring to above is that Galindo, in 1996, and Jeremy Abbott this year both were left off the Skate America roster even though they were U.S. champion, to make room for the World Champion (Todd Eldredge in 1996 and Evan lysacek in 2009.)

They could, however, have invited both Galindo and Eldredge, and both Lysacek and Abbott, if they had wanted to.

[seniorita]

i just found itbut it is not youtube link so i have no idea if it is appropriate to post it, if not please tell me ! http://www.mediafire.com/?3lnncuzwmlm
wow i say!so this is the one program he is dressed like a sailor, i have watched only pics by now!

[Joesitz]

Galindo was the first openly gay US figure skater. He was roundly criticised for including "feminine" moves in his skating. He felt that the US Figure Skating Association never gave him his due, for this reason.

Define "feminine" moves? Would Mao's 3A be kind of masculine-like?

The last straw was being virtually ignored as the U.S. champion in 1996 (he was not invited to Skate America, etc.)

So what? What is it about SA that makes it such a Special GP event?

[MKFSfan]

why is this called I spin


while this Y spin?
i thought for I spin your foot has to be stretched in front of you not on your side.
I m confused again.

Mathman already explained, and I agree with his explanation! I think because Alissa has her free foot perpendicular to the ice, fans call it an "I" and when skate is pointed up, call it a "Y." I think the technical term for both is side catch spin/spiral.

For comparison sake, here's Sasha's:

"I" spin: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ha_Cohen_2.jpg
"I" spiral: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/city...Ice%202009.jpg
"Y" spin: http://www.sashafans.com/media/galle...s/long-ap4.jpg
"Y" spiral: http://www.sashafans.com/media/galle...als/long-4.jpg
Front catch: http://www.sashafans.com/media/galle...short-ap-5.jpg

This is fun!!

[Medusa]

The very simple reason they didn't invite Abbott to Skate America: Just once they wanted to have Evan win Skate America. That's why they didn't invite one of the Japanese trio (Taka, Dai or Nobu), because they have all beaten Evan at Skate America at some point, I think Dai did it twice - even if they weren't favourites.

And a Jeremy Abbott on a good day should never be behind Lysacek. The judges, who are international, probably wouldn't have much of a problem with placing Jeremy above Evan if both were clean.

So they really tried to assemble the weakest field there is. The only possible danger is Verner, but at the beginning of the season the Czech usually plays hide and seek with his jumps, with a huge emphasis on the hide.

[seniorita]

"I" spiral: http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/city...Ice%202009.jpg

wow this is amazing photo, her posture is amazing. I want that dress

[Mathman]

Define "feminine" moves? Would Mao's 3A be kind of masculine-like?

As i understand it, back then certain elements were "ladies' skating" and other elements were "men's skating." For one thing, men are not expected to wear costumes that put their panties on prominent display.

Anyway, for whatever reason, the Y-spin, like the arabesque spiral, was regarded as "ladylike." Russian split jumps were "manly."

Sort of like in gymnastics, the balance beam is ladies' gymnastics and the pommel horse is men's gymnastics.

Even now, under the CoP, men are requirted to do two "step sequences," while ladies do one "step sequence" and one "spiral sequence.".

As far as I know, jumps, however vigorous and athletic, are neurtral and are part of both men's skating and women's skating.

So what? What is it about SA that makes it such a Special GP event?

It was the tradition back then that the U.S. champion would automatically lead the U.S. team at Skate America. When Galindo was not invited, he took this as a sign (among others) that the USFSA was kind of hoping he would just go away.

He did -- he went pro soon after, choosing not to stick around to try for the 1998 Olympic team.

In Abbott's case, he said at first that he was "disappointment" that he was not selected for Skate America. But later he said that he was happy with his GP assignments.

[Mathman]

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 want that dress.

And Sasha wants you to have it!

Front catch: http://www.sashafans.com/media/galle...short-ap-5.jpg

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

[seniorita]

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

even Google is her fan! Probably all search engines are Michelle - friendly!