#peggy flemming

[allekha]

Figure skating in colors: happy orange

Featuring:

Piper Gilles & Paul Poirier (2021 SCI RD)

Wakaba Higuchi (2017 GPF SP)

Nadjma Mahamoud (2015 Lombardia FS)

Natasha McKay (2021 Finlandia SP)

Laetitia Hubert (1998 Olympics FS)

Keiji Tanaka (2021 JPNats FS)

Rory Flack (1995 Riders Championship Round 3)

John Curry & Peggy Fleming ('Tilt-A-Whirl' EX)

Linda Fratianne (1976 Olympics FS)

[figure-skating-confessions]

“I really miss spiral sequences”

[drmonkeysetroscans]

Winners.

[overrotation-blog]

Required Element: Layback Spin

The layback spin is a required element for ladies in the short program. Most men don't perform a layback since it's not required for them in competition and because it requires a lot of flexibility. Of course, there are exceptions like Rohene Ward.

CLASSIC LAYBACK SPIN

The torso is arched back while the free leg is lifted in an attitude position, and the arms extended upwards while bent like a circle. This position is one of the most popular in the sport and is often used in logos and posters.

Peggy Fleming has one of the best layback spins ever to grace the ice.

MOST COMMON VARIATIONS

Lower Leg Layback Spin

The free leg almost touches the ice, which speeds up the spinning, thus, adding points to the element by increasing the Grade of Execution (GOE).

Sasha Cohen - 2003 Skate America

Side Layback Spin

The torso is leaning more towards the side as opposed to an arched back.

Alissa Czisny - 2012 US National Championsips

Catch-foot Layback Spin

The free leg is held by one or both hands.

Mirai Nagasu - 2011 ISU Four Continents Championship

Haircutter Spin

The skater grabs the free blade and pulls it toward the head. The leg is pulled higher than a regular catch-foot position.

Irina Slutskaya - 2002 Olympic Winter Games

Pearl Spin

The arms and leg look like a shell while the head looks like its pearl. Caroline Zhang popularized it and has become her signature spin.

Caroline Zhang - 2009 World Team Trophy

Other Variations:

Arms Extended Back

Elena Liashenko - 2003 NHK Trophy

Arms Curled Forward & Low Leg Position

Akiko Suzuki - 2009 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final

In most cases, variations of arm and leg don't increase the level of difficulty of the spin itself but can influence the quality of the element through speed (leg position) and creativity & originality (arm position) Because of this, skaters can get positive or negative marks for Grade of execution (GOE).

However, the haircutter and the pearl layback position are considered "difficult" positions so they do increase the level of the spin. Similarly, changing from a back arch to a side arch or vice versa is also an added difficulty level feature.

Also, adding a Biellmann position (more on this in a future post!) after 8 revolutions of a Layback Spin also increases the level of difficulty of the element.

Watch Jenny Kirk and Dave Lease of The Skating Lesson break down how the points are awarded for the Layback.

[wishonashooting-star]

‎"When the going got tough, I really had to draw on many of the same competitive instincts I did when I was skating. I really had to put my head down and stay positive. I had to fight."

Peggy Flemming

[analternateplan-blog-blog]

Olympic Morning Series #2 

Eating: Rice Crispy Cereal 

God. Look how high her double axel goes! Holy shit.