I'm over catch foot anything.
The one exception for me is the donut spin Isabeau Levito does at the end of her free skate, as part of her combination. The shape is the most beautiful I've seen since Oksana Baiul, and the way she pushes the spin to the inside edge (sometimes too much) and maintains the speed and position is incredible.
I do think spins in general are too complicated and place too much weight on features v. quality. I'm tired of all of the gimmicks, and the skaters seem to be one step ahead of the ISU in finding new and uglier ways to create "difficult" (not really) entrances and exits. As soon as one is devalued, they're already on to another.
I was disappointed that the ISU delayed the implementation of the choreographic spin. At least they have partially recognized the problem.
While I was sad to see the spiral requirement disappear in the women's SP, I am thankful that we no longer have the dog peeing on a fire hydrant variety.
Going from a levelled spiral sequence to a choreographic one has shifted things a bit too far in the other direction. It's too much of a throwaway element now.
Given the sadly small number of three-jump combos that show great speed, height, and attack through each jump...I'd be fine if those were also dropped or enormously devalued.
Especially in pairs with these axel sequences, although at least the three-jump combos / sequences are going away in pairs after the Olympic season. For singles skaters, I think the three-jump combos should continue but with much stricter GOE. Or, alternatively, introduce a choreographic jump sequence of double and single jumps judged on GOE. Think of a Marina Kielmann style combination. Jill Trenary used to do them, too, at least earlier in her career. A mandatory double jump might also encourage some of the "fun" solo jumps we'd see in the short programs from 1989-94, with arm variations or difficult entrances.
Yes, it's meant for a level this season, and gosh, I don't want to see more like it.
