"ugly" elements revisisted?

[loveskating]

I will just start this now, work more later

Kulik, coming out of the beasti squat, Nagano 1998 SP
http://www.kuliks-krew.com/Nagano/020.jpg

Michelle used the same element in Red Violin, right at the most appropriate part of the music, and I loved it. I know lots of people didn't, but I thought it was inspired and commanding, and she did it very well, right on the music, with the meaning of the music. I was also impressed that she did this element...its hard to do without looking idiotic, and I liked that a pretty, whole package skater did it. Anyone got a picture link?

Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski both had/have great Illusion spins...can't find a pic, however. Both did them in their Olympic LPs, I think.

[Schmeck]

First, let me say that Sasha Cohen is one of the most flexible, graceful, beautiful skaters I have ever seen. She deserves all the fans/hype/etc, that she gets!

So please don't take this as a personal slam against Sasha - but I cringe when she does her hyper-extended leg-up-to her face spin. It's just not a pretty position! And she really seems to be 'forcing' it, which makes it even worse. I'd love to see her have her leg to the side - it would be a piece of cake for her, and much more elegant looking.

I do love how she's really smoothed out her Sasha Spiral (where she does a 3-turn while in the hyper-spiral position), so maybe her hyper-leg-up spin will get smoother as well.

Schmeck

[XPEG]

Schmeck, when I saw the title of this thread, the first thing I thought of was Sasha with her knee in her face. Sasha can strike such lovely positions, I wish she would drop the knee in the face one. Ok, Sasha, you have great extension, just use it on the spiral.

[GreekGoddess85]

I do not like sit spins too much

Sasha has amazing flexibility I love her moves
and that I spin is so cool

[Lili]

I really hate the Charlotte. There is something about it that makes me cringe every time I see it. It doesn't fit anywhere that I have seen it placed in programs.

[viennese]

Someone mentioned dislike of the shoot-the-duck move. It is a bit weird to see it at the elite level. It just looks awkward.

But I have a great affection for it, as a move. IT's one of the first ones you learn, and I always smile when I see a group of children learning it (and inevitably sitting down on the ice after a few feet of gliding)

I agree that the extremely extended Y spin (or is it an I-spin) that Sasha Cohen does looks unattractive, mostly because she appears to be straining to pull her leg in. I saw a tape of Lucinda Ruh skating and she managed to get in some awe inspiring positions, yet she never appeared to be pulling or pushing to hit them. Her arms and legs and back were so supple that nothing appeared to be a stretch.

[annkirstin]

What is a Charlotte? I've heard a lot of people mention it, but I don't know what it looks like. Anyone have a picture?

[Canadian Chick]

http://www.sashafans.com/media/screencaptures/2002skatecanada/sp5.jpg

that's a Charlotte. I like them :)

[A.H.Black]

The charlotte is an extreme form of a spiral/arabesque. The leg lifts to a straight up or split position and the head and torso bend down so that the head touches the knee. I don't mind it, even like it if it is done gracefully.

Ugly - The entrance to the Bielmann spin is always ugly to me, no matter who is doing it.

[loveskating]

Well, the pic of Ilia Kulik kind of shows that even with a move that is not very attractive as performed by some, it can be breath taking when used by others and if it adds something to the music...I liked the way Ilia Klimkin used the beastie squat last year I think...it wasn't pretty. like Ilia Kulik's, it was funny, which it was intended to be, I think.

As for Sasha's side catch spin, I love it...its a feat, and as such, magnificent...besides, Sasha couldn't look ugly if she tried, LOL!

[icyboid]

http://www.canoe.ca/2002GamesGallery0221Images/fs3-ap.jpg

As I said in the other thread, the slight angle she has from being parallel to the ground makes it look like a half-a**ed Bielmann/donut stick spin.

[GreekGoddess85]

I hate those mid spin pictures......

[JDC1]

Icyboid, thanks for the laugh. I hate the Bielman done by anyone other than Lucinda Ruh and Denise Beilman. I think the pull your leg to your face spin is hideous, no matter if it's Rudy or Sasha doing it. THe Besti squat doesn't bother me unless the camera angle is such that the shot is very, very unattractive for women, the same for the Charlotte, it's a lovely move but the camera some times just makes it look like an exhibitionist move in a bad way.