Well, these were fun to watch, even with the sometimes grainy video. Love the partner changes and the double death spiral. Thanks for sharing, had totally forgotten about Fours.Here's one that I found that includes that death spiral you're talking about. I also has some other neat stuff, like SBS throw 3S, and a camel spin that is pretty well synched up considering it's four people. Also, the coolest lift entry - one guy lifts the lady and tosses her over to the other guy and then lifts his own partner - I really don't know how to describe that, you just have to see it.
1989 Skate Canada Fours competition / Menzies - Wheeler & McNeil - Watson
Cornwall / Canadawww.youtube.com
Edit: And here's Tai and Randy and Jojo and Ken in exhibition. This one is not as clear because it's under spotlight, and it is more two pairs doing the same stuff than an innovate four routiine... but it has a different death spiral variation and a fours spriral that will make you weep with joy. Also an ina bauer that makes you want to strangle the cameraman because it misses showing the line and extension.
Question:
How does the scoring for side by side spins work? Sometimes teams with unison the entire time don’t score higher than teams that are off almost the entire time. Am I misunderstanding what is important?
Answer:
The spins have different levels .... Level 4 spin is the highest level which means the hardest to execute. sometimes they may be a little off in unison but will still score higher then a lower level spin that is very well matched
I totally agree with this. To me great unison is 'the thing' what makes SBS spins exciting to watch and probably one of the reasons I like Ashley and Timothy's so much because they generally are in unison (they've got some pretty exciting positions too which makes it even more wonderful) and I would always put unison in front of positions.^^ thank you, @purplecat! Half of that was very interesting. The other half were the personal things I've grown a bit tired of. But it was a quick read, so all is good.
Here's a question and answer that was interesting to me. Actually, I knew the facts perfectly well, this question just gave a different angle.
Like I said, I knew this. But it gives me insight on why the side by side spins are, in general, so much less nice to watch than they used to be. The pairs are aiming for the level 4 because they've done the math. The unison doesn't give enough points to try very hard for it, depending on how the team feels about it. The pairs who do still try for unison (such as Ashley and Timothy) are looking for the highest number of points, of course, like everyone else. But they also have an inherent enjoyment for sbs spins that gives them internal incentive.
To me, this is one more thing I have against IJS (don't get me wrong, I know we're not goin' back). But the pure pleasure of watching SBS spins when a pair has awesome unison really elevates the emotion and even highlights and advances the music. It reminds me of Dick Button saying in 1988 that Gordeeva and Grinkov didn't do anything unusual. They just did everything extremely well, of high quality.
It's like the rules to reward risk over quality -- it means that a singles skater can fall on a quad or two and still win the event. But it may be (dpending) much less satisfying for the viewer who values emotional build-up and likes great performance.
Another Question:
What is your least favorite element?
Answer:
Actually, Alexa's least favorite elements are lifts.
Reading all the q/a, I had a feel for who answered, and I think it was Brandon who answered this. But I'd heard it from her before, in one of those fun q/a videos USFS does sometimes. It was when Alexa and Chris were partners. And it was, and is, fascinating. Because one of the things that made/makes both teams fantastic are their lifts, particularly Alexa's positions in the lifts, which are always so beautiful to watch.
I would love to hear why. Maybe she just doesn't like being that high in the air, or maybe she feels a little less in control of the element? I don't know. But it's funny, because in one of Ashley's IG posts, she kind of poked gentle fun at herself for being someone who likes to "be yeeked up into the air." (The video showed her and Tim doing a 3twist in the back yard.) I'd always sort of assumed that most pairs girls liked it, they like the exciting, freeing feeling of flying.
I think @SorrySkater was joining the conversation about Alexa Knierim's stated dislike of lifts, which stemmed from the interview with Knierim and Frazier posted by @skylark above.?
Lu's name is Audrey. Did she recently have surgery?
I think @SorrySkater was referring to the earlier post, talking about Alexa's least favorite element being lifts.?
Lu's name is Audrey. Did she recently have surgery?
@moonvine said:
That’s really interesting. She always looks very happy while being lifted.
Another Question:
What is your least favorite element?
Answer:
Actually, Alexa's least favorite elements are lifts.
Reading all the q/a, I had a feel for who answered, and I think it was Brandon who answered this. But I'd heard it from her before, in one of those fun q/a videos USFS does sometimes. It was when Alexa and Chris were partners. And it was, and is, fascinating. Because one of the things that made/makes both teams fantastic are their lifts, particularly Alexa's positions in the lifts, which are always so beautiful to watch.
I would love to hear why. Maybe she just doesn't like being that high in the air, or maybe she feels a little less in control of the element? I don't know. But it's funny, because in one of Ashley's IG posts, she kind of poked gentle fun at herself for being someone who likes to "be yeeked up into the air." (The video showed her and Tim doing a 3twist in the back yard.) I'd always sort of assumed that most pairs girls liked it, they like the exciting, freeing feeling of flying.
Yes, that is correct. Sorry it wasn’t clear.I think @SorrySkater was joining the conversation about Alexa Knierim's stated dislike of lifts, which stemmed from the interview with Knierim and Frazier posted by @skylark above.
"It's been a lifelong dream," said Cain-Gribble. "It's the first time that we really don't have to fight for a spot or qualify for something. We just get to be there and to skate."
First non-binary Winter Olympian challenges ice skating stereotypes
By Rachel Savage LONDON, Jan 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When Timothy LeDuc takes to the ice ...www.openlynews.com
Not to stir the pot or anything , but who thinks Alexa/Brandon and Ashley/Timothy will retire after the Olympics?
if this quote given to a Russian interviewer is accurate, Misha Mitrofanov apparently does! (according to FS Gossips—I have no personal information on it)—
“Well, as I understand it, both American pairs who go to the Olympics will retire after it. So we expect to take their place.”
source: https://fs-gossips.com/they-sent-a-...ly-departure-from-russia-and-life-in-the-usa/
Not to stir the pot or anything , but who thinks Alexa/Brandon and Ashley/Timothy will retire after the Olympics?
if this quote given to a Russian interviewer is accurate, Misha Mitrofanov apparently does! (according to FS Gossips—I have no personal information on it)—
“Well, as I understand it, both American pairs who go to the Olympics will retire after it. So we expect to take their place.”
source: https://fs-gossips.com/they-sent-a-...ly-departure-from-russia-and-life-in-the-usa/
Even if Ash and Tim AND Alexa and Brandon both retire, it’s not a good look for them to declare themselves the #1 team. Hopefully there was something lost in translation.I haven't wanted to say anything because I didn't want to manifest something that wasn't even being thought of, or to start rumors, but I was thinking if Ash & Tim have a wonderful Olympics, that they might want to end on that high, especially being National champs again, too.