She really seemed to have a better triple salchow back in 1978 then she did in 1984 when she finished on the podium. But she seems to struggle to do a camel spin. Hard to believe she was at the senior level and struggling to do a camel. But there is something about Kira's skating that I have always liked. Creative soul. RIP Kira
Hi, I agree w/ your assessment of her 3S! Her Sals were good through I'd say maybe 1980 b/4 she picked up Kovalev's poor Sal technique. Here, for instance, you could clearly see her using her knee bend on the takeoff to elevate herself perpendicular to the ice. I believe her 3S was good at Lake Placid, as well. But then, as soon as Kovalev began influencing her skating (and her life in general…), her Sals became like his, essentially just muscling through, relying on speed and horizontal motion, using upper body torque to throw herself into the air. This often made her axis/trajectory unpredictable and her consistency suffered greatly. Her carriage across the ice here is a delight to watch!
Thanks for your comment nondescript. Interesting how she tried a double axel half loop triple salchow. Very advanced for 1978 or even 1988. More difficult than any combo she tried later in career. Often jumpers are best when they’re young. Only Manley and Biellman got better with age. Also cool how her two triples were right at the end of her program. Ahead of her time
What is funny is how the announcer is talking about how she struggles with compulsories but is a great free skater...funny because she eventually would be known as the exact opposite...ie. at her last competition, the 1988 Olympics, she won the compulsories over Witt, Manley, Thomas and everyone, but eventually finished 7th after a 10th place SP and 9th place LP.
I like how he refers to the salchow as "a much more difficult jump" than the toe loop, although the salchow is often treated as easier. The salchow looks harder to me. No toe-pick assist, have to twist the body just right.
She really seemed to have a better triple salchow back in 1978 then she did in 1984 when she finished on the podium. But she seems to struggle to do a camel spin. Hard to believe she was at the senior level and struggling to do a camel. But there is something about Kira's skating that I have always liked. Creative soul. RIP Kira
Hi, I agree w/ your assessment of her 3S! Her Sals were good through I'd say maybe 1980 b/4 she picked up Kovalev's poor Sal technique. Here, for instance, you could clearly see her using her knee bend on the takeoff to elevate herself perpendicular to the ice. I believe her 3S was good at Lake Placid, as well.
But then, as soon as Kovalev began influencing her skating (and her life in general…), her Sals became like his, essentially just muscling through, relying on speed and horizontal motion, using upper body torque to throw herself into the air. This often made her axis/trajectory unpredictable and her consistency suffered greatly.
Her carriage across the ice here is a delight to watch!
Thanks for your comment nondescript. Interesting how she tried a double axel half loop triple salchow. Very advanced for 1978 or even 1988. More difficult than any combo she tried later in career. Often jumpers are best when they’re young. Only Manley and Biellman got better with age. Also cool how her two triples were right at the end of her program. Ahead of her time
What is funny is how the announcer is talking about how she struggles with compulsories but is a great free skater...funny because she eventually would be known as the exact opposite...ie. at her last competition, the 1988 Olympics, she won the compulsories over Witt, Manley, Thomas and everyone, but eventually finished 7th after a 10th place SP and 9th place LP.
I like how he refers to the salchow as "a much more difficult jump" than the toe loop, although the salchow is often treated as easier. The salchow looks harder to me. No toe-pick assist, have to twist the body just right.