Sounds like a good idea in theory, but what I suspect will happen is that the juniors will still train the harder jumps in practice in anticipation of their move up to the senior level. In the end, it wouldn't really accomplish that much.
One would hope before they put a prototype out there they would consider all the ramifications of using the boots.
I just hope that her injuries don't plague her the rest of her life. And if she does try to continue skating, that her doctor and her team are realistic about her physical readiness.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Alissa skated in the prototype hinged boots for a number of seasons. These boots were supposed to reduce ankle injuries, but as I recall there was debate about whether they were good or bad for hips. Also, some skaters thought it was harder to jump in the hinged boots, just like it is harder to jump in a soft boot than a rigid one.
Maybe this played a role in allowing Alissa to skate for such a long time without injury. Or not.
As many as eight out of every 10 elite U.S. skaters suffer boot-related injuries, according to one study, and debilitating hip, knee and back injuries have driven dozens of top prospects out of the sport while still in their mid-teens...
The increase in stress-related injuries can be traced to the elimination of figures from international and national competitions and an emphasis on jumping in the early 1990s. Practice time skaters previously spent perfecting tracing figures in the ice is now spent on landing quadruple jumps by the men, triple jumps by the women.
While figure skating has been revolutionized in the past 15 years by these jumps, the sport's equipment has not kept pace with its athletes...
Some studies estimate that 90 percent of skaters who do triple and quadruple jumps are injured annually, twice the rate for skaters attempting only double jumps.
No longer available.
Here is an interesting article from 2006 about boot-related injuries. It is critical of the USFSA for not investing in research in boot design.
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/-163199--.html
Icey said:Both came up for me when I clicked on them.
:thumbsup: Kristi is one of the few skaters who won more world championships (2) than national championships (1). Carol Heiss is another, with 5 worlds and 4 U.S. Of course Yagudin is the king -- 4 world championships and 0 nationals.
Here is Sabrina. Best skating dress ever. Dick Button says, "She is one of the most exquisite skaters of all time...and look at that! Even her back spiral position is acceptable" (as contrasted with all the other skaters' unacceptable positions. )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s8UlN4umNs
Not perfect? OK, how about this? (still not perfect but be sure to watch the whole video --" ...and the home... of the... brave!")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCBmjO_v1WI
There are a ton of US skaters in Edeas now, but not all are Elite level skaters. Again, with any boot, you have to be careful to choose one that best fits your feet as I have talked to many skaters who have tried Edeas and ended up with heel spurs/bursas and blisters.thanks Mathman and Mskater. Do many american skaters use Edeas boots?