A spiral is an element in
figure skating
Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport to be included in the Olympic Games, when contested at the 1908 Olympics in London. The Olympic disciplines are me ...
where the skater glides on one foot while raising the
free leg above hip level. It is akin to the
arabesque
The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Another definition is "Foli ...
in
ballet
Ballet () is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form of ...
.
Spiral positions are classified according to the skating leg (left or right), edge (outside or inside), direction the skater is traveling (forward or backward), and the position of the free leg (backward, forward, sideways).
[ISU Communication No.1445](_blank)
Spirals were a required element in
ladies' singles and
pair skating
Pair skating is a figure skating discipline defined by the International Skating Union (ISU) as "the skating of two persons in unison who perform their movements in such harmony with each other as to give the impression of genuine Pair Skating a ...
prior to the
2012–13 season. Spirals were infrequently performed by men at the Olympic level prior to the 2012–13 season because it was not a required element nor could men receive points for spiral sequences in the element score of the
ISU Judging System
The ISU Judging System (or the International Judging System (IJS)), occasionally referred to as the Code of Points (COP) system, is the scoring system that has been used since 2004 to judge the figure skating disciplines of men's and ladies' sin ...
. In spite of this, some male skaters are known for their spirals, such as
Toller Cranston
Toller Shalitoe Montague Cranston, CM (April 20, 1949 – January 24, 2015) was a Canadian figure skater and painter. He won the 1971–1976 Canadian national championships, the 1974 World bronze medal and the 1976 Olympic bronze medal. ...
,
Paul Wylie
Paul Stanton Wylie (born October 28, 1964) is an American figure skater, and the 1992 Olympic silver medalist in men's singles skating.
Personal life
Paul Stanton Wylie was born on October 24, 1964 in Dallas, Texas to Bob Wylie (a geophysicist ...
, and
Shawn Sawyer.
Edging and technique
The name "Spiral" is indicative of the ''skating edge''. This move is generally (but not exclusively) demonstrated on a deep inside or outside edge. As the skater moves, he or she glides slightly to the left or right (depending on the edge used), and continues in a spiral pattern around the ice if held long enough.
Spirals can be performed on 8 edges: forward or backward, and on the inside or outside edges. Straight line spirals aren’t typically done in shows or competition and are mostly only used for tests such as Pre-Preliminary MITF.
The basic spiral is performed with the free leg stretched and extended to the rear above hip level. Many skaters try to lift the leg as high as possible, but more important than the height of the free leg is that it be fully stretched and that the tension of the position be maintained in the upper body as well.
Judges look at the depth, stability, and control of the skating edge, speed and ice coverage, extension, and other factors. Some skaters are able to change edges during a spiral.
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Wingshan Kwan (born July 7, 1980) is a retired competitive figure skater and diplomat serving as United States Ambassador to Belize. In figure skating Kwan is a two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 1998, bronze in 2002), a five-time W ...
was known for her change-of-edge spiral, in which she maintained a fixed arabesque position while changing from an inside to outside edge.
Spiral sequence
A "spiral sequence" is a series of spiral moves performed together. The spiral sequence was a required element for ladies and pairs in international competition prior to the
2012–13 season; under the rules for the
ISU Judging System
The ISU Judging System (or the International Judging System (IJS)), occasionally referred to as the Code of Points (COP) system, is the scoring system that has been used since 2004 to judge the figure skating disciplines of men's and ladies' sin ...
, the skater must have held each spiral position for at least 3 seconds to have received credit for it.
A spiral sequence often included a ''change of edge'' spiral. The same spiral position was held, but the skater changed the edge he or she was skating on. The most common was forward inside edge to forward outside edge.
[Figure Skating Journal Glossary](_blank)
/ref>
From the 2012–13 season and onward, the spiral sequence was replaced by the choreographic sequence. The choreographic sequence is required for men's, ladies' and pairs' free skating. The choreographic sequence consists of moves in the field Moves in the field is a name given to elements of figure skating that emphasize basic skating skill and edge control. In the context of a competitive program, 'moves in the field' include spiral (figure skating), spirals, spread eagle (figure skatin ...
, unlisted jumps, spinning movements, etc.[https://www.isu.org/inside-single-pair-skating-ice-dance/isu-judging-system-fs/isu-handbooks-faq-sandp-skating-2/17594-tp-handbook-singles-2018-19/file]
Variations
Spirals can also be performed in other positions, such as with the free leg extended forward or to the side, with a bent knee, or with the leg, knee, or skate supported with one or both hands. There are many variations and some names, while not necessarily official, have come into common use.
An arabesque
The arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of "surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils" or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Another definition is "Foli ...
spiral is the basic spiral position. The free leg is extended behind the body above hip height (at least a 90 degree angle). Some skaters are able to achieve vertical (180 degrees) with this position, but it is not required.
A catch-foot spiral does not refer to any single position, but generally refers to any spiral with the skate of the free leg being held in one or both hands. Catchfoot spirals include:
:The Biellmann spiral is performed with the free leg grasped from behind and pulled overhead in the Biellmann position. This spiral may be performed on any of the spiral edges.
:A cross-grab spiral is a catch-foot spiral with the skate of the free leg grasped from behind by the opposite hand (e.g. right skate held by the left hand, left skate held by the right hand)
:A Y-spiral also known as a 180 because your legs are at a 180 degree angle is performed with the skate of the free leg held out to the side. This is usually performed as a catch-foot spiral, although some skaters have increased the difficulty of this position by releasing the foot and holding the leg position unsupported.
A Charlotte spiral is a variation in which the torso is dropped down forward toward the skating leg and the free leg is lifted behind in a near-split position.
A Kerrigan spiral is a high-leg outside spiral performed with one hand supporting the knee of the free leg. This position is named after Nancy Kerrigan
Nancy Ann Kerrigan (born October 13, 1969) is an American figure skating, figure skater and actress. She won bronze medals at the 1991 World Figure Skating Championships, 1991 World Championships and the Figure skating at the 1992 Winter Olympic ...
.
A skid spiral (also known as a slide spiral) is a difficult 180-degree turn on the ice performed in a spiral position, using a skidden three turn
A 3 turn is a figure skating element which involves both a change in direction and a change in edge. For example, when a skater executes a forward outside 3 turn, the skater begins on a forward outside edge and finishes on a backwards inside edge ...
to change directions. It was invented by Robin Cousins
Robin Cousins, MBE (born 17 August 1957) is a British former competitive figure skater who was BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1980. He was the 1980 Olympic champion, the 1980 European champion, a three-time World medalist (1978–19 ...
, and is notably performed by Sasha Cohen
Alexandra Pauline "Sasha" Cohen (born October 26, 1984) is a retired American figure skater. She is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, a three-time World Championship medalist, the 2003 Grand Prix Final Champion, and the 2006 U.S. Champion. S ...
and Evgenia Medvedeva
Evgenia Armanovna Medvedeva (alt. spelling: Yevgenia Medvedeva; rus, Евгения Армановна Медведева, p=jɪvˈɡʲenʲɪjə mʲɪˈdvʲedʲɪvə; born 19 November 1999), is a competitive Russian Figure skating, figure ska ...
.
A fan spiral is a back outside edge spiral held with the free leg held unsupported to the skater's front or side. Ideally, this position should be held with both legs straight, although less flexible skaters attempt to compensate for a lack of strength or flexibility by not fully extending the free leg or bending the skating leg.
An inverted spiral is a variation performed with the free leg held in front with the skater leaning backward over the edge of the skating foot so that the skater's upper body is held almost parallel to the ice. The position attained in this spiral is similar to that of a layover camel.
Photo gallery
Single skating
Catch-foot spiral positions
Image:Mirai Nagasu 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard.JPG,
Image:Kim 2009 Skate America FS Spiral.jpg,
Image:WC2008 SPLadies Asada JPN 1.jpg,
Image:Diane Szmiett Spiral 2008-2009 JGPF.jpg,
Image:Kostner 2008GPF by Carmichael.jpg,
Image:Kwak 2009.jpg,
Image:2011 WFSC 6d 075 Elene Gedevanishvili.JPG,
Image:Mao Asada 2009 World Championships Spiral.jpg,
Image:Joannie Rochette Spiral - 2006 Skate Canada.jpg,
Image:Caroline Zhang Spiral 2008 Skate Canada.jpg,
Unassisted spiral positions
Image:Mao Asada Spiral Grand Prix Final 2008.jpg,
Image:Jenni Vahamaa 2008 Junior Worlds.jpg,
Image:Shawn Sawyer Spiral 2008 Skate Canada.jpg,
Image:Sasha Cohen charlotte spiral.jpg,
Pair skating
Image:SawtschenkoSzolkowy 1.jpg,
Image:Marcoux buntin.jpg,
Image:Elena Efaieva & Alexei Menshikov - 2006 Skate America.jpg,
Image:Nam & Leftheris Spiral - 2006 Skate America.jpg,
Image:Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA Nodari MAISURADZE Skate Canada 2010.jpg,
Image:Maria Mukhortova & Maxim Trankov - 2006 Skate America.jpg,
Image:AljonaSavchenko RobinSzolkowy GER FP NH2007 3.JPG,
File:Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA Nodari MAISURADZE EC 2009.jpg,
File:Keauna McLaughlin & Rockne Brubaker Spiral 2009 4CC.jpg, Pair catch-foot
(Keauna McLaughlin
Keauna Inaba McLaughlin (born September 25, 1992) is an American former competitive pair skater. With partner Rockne Brubaker, she is the 2008 & 2009 U.S. National Champion, the 2010 Four Continents silver medalist, and the 2007 World Junior C ...
& Rockne Brubaker
Rockne Lee Brubaker, II (born June 21, 1986) is an American former competitive pair skater. With Keauna McLaughlin, he is the 2010 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2007 World Junior champion, and a two-time (2008–2009) U.S. national cham ...
)
Synchronized skating
File:Lexettes spirals.jpg, (The Lexettes)
File:Colonials spiral.jpg, (The Colonials)
File:Skyliners spirals.jpg, (The Skyliners)
References
{{Figure skating
Figure skating elements