Alissa Czisny on the Hinged Figure Skating Boot
- Thread starter Rgirl
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
I remember seeing Alissa live at the 2004 U.S. Nationals and being so impressed with her obvious skill. Even then, she had great spins and presence.....but the jumps were such a problem for her. I was shocked to see such an improvement in that department at Skate America. They weren't text book perfect, but her jumps were far better than I have ever seen her do. We probably need to see if she continues to excell before passing further judgement on the hinged boots, but I would say they have worked quite well for her thus far.
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
I think if Czisny continues to be successful, she will be to the hinged boot was Gillian Murphy and Alina Cojocaru have been to Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. Eliza Gaynor Minden, who was trained in ballet and is an athlete, looked at the issues family and friends had with traditional pointe shoes, and decided that perhaps satin and paste wasn't the best technology to use to meet the demands of modern-day ballet. She invented a pointe shoe out of modern materials used in other sports shoes, using modern manufacturing techniques, earning six patents. The resulting shoe lasts about five times as long as a traditional pointe shoe -- nothing to sneeze at considering the tens of thousands of dollars spent by small companies each year on the shoe budget and the thousands spent by struggling dance students, who, to stretch out their often meager budgets, wear shoes that are too worn and have little support -- and, according to dancers who've used them, keeps the same "feel" throughout its life, instead of progressively softening.
Like with anything else, there are trade-offs and resistance from traditionalists. Not that traditionalists don't have valid points, but not all reactions are rational or thought through. Top dancers don't change shoe brands very often, because it means a period of adjustment as well as changing "equipment" they've been using since they were pre-teens; plus there's often resistance from their teachers and mentors. Cojocaru, a star of the Royal Ballet, had such bad foot problems that she considered retirement in her early 20's; she had incentive for the change, which gave her the option to continue to dance.
It just takes a few highly visible success stories to start to break down the traditional view.
Like with anything else, there are trade-offs and resistance from traditionalists. Not that traditionalists don't have valid points, but not all reactions are rational or thought through. Top dancers don't change shoe brands very often, because it means a period of adjustment as well as changing "equipment" they've been using since they were pre-teens; plus there's often resistance from their teachers and mentors. Cojocaru, a star of the Royal Ballet, had such bad foot problems that she considered retirement in her early 20's; she had incentive for the change, which gave her the option to continue to dance.
It just takes a few highly visible success stories to start to break down the traditional view.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
No prob. But it won't be shown in the U.S. until November 6. 
http://www.usfsa.org/content/events/200506/skatecanada/action/czisny-sp2.jpg
http://www.usfsa.org/content/events/200506/skatecanada/action/czisny-sp2.jpg
Being a fan of figure skating for years, with no particular favourite, I thing that Crisny is starting to convert me. After watching her skating this week at Mile One, in person, she is the one to watch. Everyone watching her were in awe, she is breathtaking on the ice. I think that she has all the qualities to make it to the top, if she continues with what she is doing now and gets better as the season progresses, she will be a strong contender at the Olympics. Just my opinion.
Mathman said:Hah! Better get aboard now, Red Dog, or the Alissa train will leave the station without you.
MM
Alright, I'll make a pact. If she WINS Skate Canada, and then goes to the GPF and has a strong showing there (medals), THEN I will consider her to be a contender for an Olympic third spot, and even then with some reservation. But as for becoming a fan of her, that's a totally different subject (and is probably not happening). But I'd be curious to see how she progresses. She could give Kimmie some tough US competition in the next couple of years IF AND ONLY IF she keeps up this rate of progress...
ETA: A consistent skater does not fall four times in a competition...nevermind that she was called on late notice. Same thing happened for SA and look how well she did?
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- Joined
- Jul 27, 2003
I think a better name would be Czisnyacs. There is no "r" in her last name.millie said:Ah come on Red Dog, is there any possiablity that I will be able to convert you to be a Crisny fan.
We will can ourselves Crisnyatics.
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Red Dog, now you've got me curious. What would it take for you to be impressed with Alissa?
What if Alissa won Nationals this year and went on to medal at the Olympics, followed by the gold medal at Worlds. Then she medaled again in the 2010 Olympics. All in all, suppose she went on to win nine U.S. championships and five World championships. Wouldn't you think that was pretty cool?
MM
What if Alissa won Nationals this year and went on to medal at the Olympics, followed by the gold medal at Worlds. Then she medaled again in the 2010 Olympics. All in all, suppose she went on to win nine U.S. championships and five World championships. Wouldn't you think that was pretty cool?
MM
Mathman said:
Technically, I already am impressed with her. But I just don't see her as a top contender yet. She really needs to close all the stops first.
But yes, if she did the above, I'd think that would be pretty impressive...:yes: After all, she just came out of nowhere...
Seriously, though, I'm keeping a real look on things. I refuse to be swept away by all the fan hype on the forums now (it's not just here) and deluded into thinking she's top 6 material. She beat a very weak field and the top contenders did not skate well at ALL. My question still holds: Can she hold her own in a full field, even if someone else skates their best? In other words, is her strong SA showing a fluke? I'm not going to spoil the SC event here. (Remember Angela Nikodinov winning SA in 2004 (or 2005?) and then bombing her other GP event?)
I know I'll most likely rain in on the Alissa parade, but you know, someone has to keep it real
I'm still waiting for Kimmie to do her events...
Consistency
What seprarates the top contenders from the still aspiring-consistency. When Alissa puts together three great competitions I will be a believer. Her spins are to die for and her spirals are good. But she has a ways to go. I am not sure the hinged boots have totally cured her jump issues. We shall see. But even so, Sasha and Michelle are still ahead of her in their presentaion skills. They are much more mature as skaters. Kimmie is the one to beat for the third spot. She is a real competitor and if she does her triple axel, Alissa will be in 4th rgeardless of how fast she spins. Kimmie's program is also better IMO.
What seprarates the top contenders from the still aspiring-consistency. When Alissa puts together three great competitions I will be a believer. Her spins are to die for and her spirals are good. But she has a ways to go. I am not sure the hinged boots have totally cured her jump issues. We shall see. But even so, Sasha and Michelle are still ahead of her in their presentaion skills. They are much more mature as skaters. Kimmie is the one to beat for the third spot. She is a real competitor and if she does her triple axel, Alissa will be in 4th rgeardless of how fast she spins. Kimmie's program is also better IMO.
kyla2 said:
If she does, if, that's the key word. Recall she "had nothing to lose" last year. This year, can she afford to try it and splat, if don't think so. That jump isn't like money in the bank for any of the ladies who have "one". How any times has she used the 3axel in competition? Once, I think.
