What has changed for the better in figure skating?

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Yeah to me it's more that awkward positions are overrewarded. I'd far rather see a gorgeous standard camel than one with a sloppy free leg - but in the system they're both rewarded the same, and then the judges score it same on GOE as well.

There's no difference between a classic attitude layback versus a layback with a dropped leg either for a level (neither is considered a 'difficult' variation), and judges barely differentiate between the GOE too.

With some better rules and implementation of rules, there's no reason to not keep the more flexible positions. In fact the standard camel and classic layback both require a greater deal of flexibility than some other positions that are considered 'difficult'.

Main thing about spins is that they last too long. Steps too. I think we can make the spins shorter by requiring only three level features (max level 3), though.

Oh the worst is the side leaning spin - you can’t even call some of those a difficult position - it’s basically rotating enough before the skater grabs the catch foot and pulls it up into a level 4 biellmann. An attitude layback is rare but I also think it’s better than some laybacks that were held for three or four rotations and that’s about it. YMMV

 

[Arigato]

Alysa winning Breakthrough Athlete of the Year at the ESPY Awards tonight. If that's not better for the sport, I don't what is.

 

[yfan1]

An attitude layback is rare but I also think it’s better than some laybacks that were held for three or four rotations and that’s about it. YMMV

Well it's more that I miss spins like these:



It's a short, to the point spin, which I believe would be called FSSp1 nowadays, and be awarded 1 GOE.

In fact all her spins would only be classified as Level 1s or Level Bs in this program, even though the quality of the positions she's hitting (outside the layback) is actually hard. I do wish we could return to a bit more freedom in spins and steps, at least for the free program - it wouldn't even be that hard to limit max level achieved to level 3 for the steps and level 2 for spins in the free program.

I do not know which laybacks were held only for 3 revs? Do you have examples?

 

[gkelly]

Well now there will be one spin with complete freedom in the freeskate (choreo spin)

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Well now there will be one spin with complete freedom in the freeskate (choreo spin)

Is it really completely free? Because, having not seen any Base Value assigned to it, I had assumed that it would have that of a Spin chosen in the list, but for instance in this List the Combination Spin don't describe which Basic Positions have to be reached so there maybe was part of the leeway for the Choreographic Spin?

 

[gkelly]

Is it really completely free? Because, having not seen any Base Value assigned to it, I had assumed that it would have that of a Spin chosen in the list, but for instance in this List the Combination Spin don't describe which Basic Positions have to be reached so there maybe was part of the leeway for the Choreographic Spin?

Here's the definition of the Choreographic Spin from ISU Communication 2788. See especially the part I bolded:

Choreographic Spin (Rule 612 Single Skating)
A Choreographic Spin is a spin which enhances the choreography of the program and
matches the music.
A Choreographic Spin must have a minimum of 3 consecutive revolutions executed on one
or two blades, with any basic or non-basic positions allowed. Change of foot is optional and
can be done several times during the spin. The Technical Panel identifies the Choreographic
Spin and it will be confirmed once the 3 consecutive revolutions have been completed. If the
Choreographic Spin cannot be identifiable to the panel, the third performed spin will be
considered as the Choreographic Spin (Choreographic Spin confirmed). This element has a
fixed base value and will be evaluated by the judges in GOE only.
The positions in the Choreographic spin will not be considered as used in the other spins of
the program.

So basically, if it goes around at least 3 revolutions in a row, it meets the requirement and will
get the same base value as all the other choreographic spins. But it would have to do more
than that, technically and/or choreographically, to earn high GOEs from the judges.

In case you're interested, here are the positive GOE bullet points for this element:

1) element matches the music and reflects the concept/character of the program
2) creativity
3) effortless throughout
4) a highlight of the program
5) good controlled position(s) matching the music
6) intentional use of speed matching the music

The boldface here is the ISU's, not mine. The two bolded bullet points must be met for a judge to award +4 or +5 for this element. So a technically excellent spin that could have earned max GOE as a regular technical element but has no relation to the concept of the program or no creativity cannot earn higher than +3.