Who does great spirals?

gsk8 · Jul 20, 2015

Sasha Cohen (USA) is the first skater to receive +3s for spirals under the IJS for "Grade of Execution". It's a shame that they are no longer a major scoring element.

Who else has great spirals?

Mathman · Jul 20, 2015

Now that spirals have been removed from the IJS, no one will ever do a great spiral again.

MaxSwagg · Jul 20, 2015

Mao spirals (love her fan position). :yes: And Sasha of course.

minze · Jul 20, 2015

Mao https://youtu.be/7UJW5BNBi8E She is unreal

evangeline · Jul 20, 2015

Sasha Cohen had perfect positions, extension, etc., and used her spiral to great effect in her choreography, but her spirals didn't have the optimal speed, ice coverage, or depth of edge: https://youtu.be/sI-cbt1u1uc?t=1m45s Also you can see her edges wobble a bit when you look closely...

Shizuka Arakawa had excellent control and ice coverage in her spirals: https://youtu.be/jJ9EaMEk74g?t=2m10s

Nicole Bobek has great positions and a nice deep edge as well: https://youtu.be/KgfcohSFIOE?t=5m54s

Carolina Kostner has very speedy spirals, as well as good control and edge quality: https://youtu.be/-XX1kxQLMsw?t=1m58s

Michelle Kwan's spirals are the best overall package in terms of position, edge control, depth of edge, ice coverage, extension, back position: https://youtu.be/QrDBGtP7O94?t=2m28s, and https://youtu.be/8a0GTyKhd7I?t=2m43s Her change of edge spirals were simply the best!

Franklin99 · Jul 20, 2015

MAXSwagg said:
Mao spirals (love her fan position). :yes: And Sasha of course.

Tell me about it:

https://www.google.com/search?q=mao...d-sDfA&biw=1280&bih=800#imgrc=nYpz9WifuLY_VM:

Imagine · Jul 20, 2015

Why'd they get rid of them anyway? Makes me kinda sad that spirals aren't an actual element anymore....anyway my picks would include Sasha (duh), Shizuka (godly control), and Mao (beauty). I don't think anyone in the present field even comes close...maybe Yulia...but she doesn't really hold it (which is part of what makes spirals enjoyable IMO) except in exhibitions.

Sam-Skwantch · Jul 20, 2015

I don't think the ISU needs to make them mandatory again but it would be nice if it was at least an option. Maybe allow some to sub out the ChSeq for a SpSeq.

Yulia and Mao are the only two that come to mind of current skaters that really use them as major parts of their programs. I just love the end of Mao's Rach when she kind of blows a kiss before going into a spiral and then taking her final pose.
https://youtu.be/kJnxhd3yfDA?t=5m10s

Also one of the most beautiful pics from Sochi IMO is:
http://data1.whicdn.com/images/101014034/superthumb.jpg

Franklin99 · Jul 20, 2015

Unite said:
Why'd they get rid of them anyway? Makes me kinda sad that spirals aren't an actual element anymore....anyway my picks would include Sasha (duh), Shizuka (godly control), and Mao (beauty). I don't think anyone in the present field even comes close...maybe Yulia...but she doesn't really hold it (which is part of what makes spirals enjoyable IMO) except in exhibitions.

For someone who isn't very flexable, Michelle Kwan's spiral's are breathtakingly beautiful:

https://www.google.com/search?q=mic...oTCKWFi_Tu6sYCFdF8kgodWBgGjA&biw=1280&bih=800

gkelly · Jul 20, 2015

Sam-Skwantch said:
I don't think the ISU needs to make them mandatory again but it would be nice if it was at least an option. Maybe allow some to sub out the ChSeq for a SpSeq.

A spiral sequence would fulfill the requirements for a ChSq. And some skaters do choose to fill the ice with one or more spirals to meet the requirements for that element.

I'll have to see if I can come up with some good examples.

But they don't tend to include three different spirals with a change of edge and difficult positions all held for at least 3 or 6 seconds, as was the case ca. 2010 when there were extra points for doing so. Now only the overall quality and the relation to the choreography are what gain points.

Ophelia · Jul 20, 2015

Adding Sotnikova to the list. Her spiral is awesome.

Sam-Skwantch · Jul 20, 2015

gkelly said:
A spiral sequence would fulfill the requirements for a ChSq. And some skaters do choose to fill the ice with one or more spirals to meet the requirements for that element.

I'll have to see if I can come up with some good examples.

But they don't tend to include three different spirals with a change of edge and difficult positions all held for at least 3 or 6 seconds, as was the case ca. 2010 when there were extra points for doing so. Now only the overall quality and the relation to the choreography are what gain points.

Maybe that is why Julia doesn't hold them as long as she used to? This is from 2010 and held out pretty long.

https://youtu.be/7pOyZc7Wur8?t=45s

Mathman · Jul 20, 2015

You can't hold a spiral for any length of time any more, because you cannot allow all those seconds to go by during which you are not adding any points to your total.

Barb · Jul 20, 2015

Michelle
Sasha
Mao
Shizuka

sunnystars · Jul 20, 2015

Regardless of her low free-leg position and lack of extension, I think Yuna has a good spiral due to her ice coverage, speed and good use of her edges.
examples: 2009 GPF SP, and 2009 SA SP

Other than that, I think Ashley had a great spiral too for her creative use of arm-ography and smoothness.
examples: 2008 NHK SP, and her oh-so iconic Black Swan FS

Mathman · Jul 20, 2015

Unite said:
Why'd they get rid of them anyway?

I think that the ISU felt that a skater isn't really doing anything during a spiral. She is not jumping, she is not spinning, she is not moving her feet in steps and turns. Just gliding along looking pretty.

Sam-Skwantch · Jul 20, 2015

Mathman said:
I think that the ISU felt that a skater isn't really doing anything during a spiral. She is not jumping, she is not spinning, she is not moving her feet in steps and turns. Just gliding along looking pretty.

Maybe a skater could insert some coin noises into their program and time it up to a spiral in order to sound like Mario Bros. collecting a bunch of coins to fool the judges into thinking they are doing something of value. Think of the possibilities. Pac-Man anyone?

Celine · Jul 20, 2015

The 'purist' in me never really buys into the 'assisted' spirals. You know, ... ones where the leg is held in some way

Amongst my favorite spirals? The pairs spirals that John Nicks' students did. Tai and Randy's in particular. With the change of direction, 90 degrees to the side with the pair formation like a beautiful fan opening up. Stunning and unique.

Amei · Jul 20, 2015

Mathman said:
I think that the ISU felt that a skater isn't really doing anything during a spiral. She is not jumping, she is not spinning, she is not moving her feet in steps and turns. Just gliding along looking pretty.

Not doing anything??? Ha! I want to see some of them holding their legs completely vertical and say that 'nothing is being done' - I'll even let them do it on solid ground.

AsadaFanBoy · Jul 20, 2015

Asada, Nagasu, Miyahara, Wagner

Jason Brown, Michael Christian Martinez

Czisny (yasss), Kwan, Bobek, Cohen, Kerrigan (for her time)

Who does great spirals?

gsk8

Mathman

MaxSwagg

Match Penalty

minze

evangeline

Franklin99

Imagine

Sam-Skwantch

“I solemnly swear I’m up to no good”

Franklin99

gkelly

Ophelia

Sam-Skwantch

“I solemnly swear I’m up to no good”

Mathman

Barb

sunnystars

#teamotherskaters

Mathman

Sam-Skwantch

“I solemnly swear I’m up to no good”

Celine

Amei

AsadaFanBoy

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