OK. We have differing opinions.
Well done spirals and laybacks are about way more then flexibility and stretch. Sasha had outstanding flexibility, but the depth and security of edge weren't always the best in her spiral sequence, IMO. Similarly, a good layback includes centering and steadiness... which have nothing to do with flexibility.
I believe that basic elements like spirals, spread eagles, and laybacks must be quite difficult to do extremely well... since so few actually do them extremely well, including the skaters you cite as having superior skating skills.
There's a difference in the adjectives "competent" "good" and "superior."
Well done spirals and laybacks are about way more then flexibility and stretch. Sasha had outstanding flexibility, but the depth and security of edge weren't always the best in her spiral sequence, IMO. Similarly, a good layback includes centering and steadiness... which have nothing to do with flexibility.
I believe that basic elements like spirals, spread eagles, and laybacks must be quite difficult to do extremely well... since so few actually do them extremely well, including the skaters you cite as having superior skating skills.
There's a difference in the adjectives "competent" "good" and "superior."