Will COP ever remove the spirals in Senior Ladies LPs?

Question

I mostly enjoy COP because it rates with a number with fairly close accuracy the real difficulty of different figures. The added point bonuses makes programs more dynamic and gives prizes to the skaters who are the best in footwork and transitions (bye bye boring crossover between each jump!).

Overall, COP has made most of the categories better. However I cringe everytime a lady does her reglamentary 3 Spirals borefest.

One thing is that all skaters do them because you're not huffing and puffing, but another is that the ISU FORCES all skaters to do them. They are boring, most seniors suck doing them, it's boring to watch 20 girls do the exact same thing, and there's far more interesting figures to use instead.

Why can't Eagles and Bauers become alternate options other than poorly executed spirals? Ladies is the most boring of the 4 events, partially because of this rule.

hiyas123 · Accepted Answer

No, spirals will NEVER be taken off. It adds grace to the program, and in my opinion, it doesn't make it boring. This is the reason why I like the ladies better than any of the other skaters. Well, people do eagles to add more transitions and artistry to their programs, for example before doing the axel.

Yeah, I agree with you about the Code of Points system. People don't like it cuz it's too complicated, but I think it really shows what the skater is capable of doing, and it shows people doing many new spins variations. In the old system, people basically did the same thing too, and it was much worse in my opinion, cuz everything was soooo basic.

skategirl · Answer

I think that's a great idea to make the spiral sequences more interesting.  I love watching spirals, but you're right that so many ladies do the exact same ones.  

However, not every skater is physically able to do Ina Bauers or spread eagles.  If you aren't blessed with "open" hips, you can really mess up your knees trying to do those elements.  

Also, I think that those skaters who do include IBs or SEs choose to put them right before jumps (usually Axels) in order to get more points on their jumps.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't think the spiral sequences will be removed.  

As you mentioned "difficulty", I think spirals are seen as being more difficult than eagles and bauers.  There are more possible position variations and it shows flexibility and strength in the legs.  With eagles and bauers, it's more about a "nice" position (rear and back), and arm variations.  Not to say it doesn't take flexibility or strength, but for those with the natural open hips, it's not as "challenging" as a spiral.   

But - I do agree eagles and bauers can spice up a program just as dramatically as a spiral - if they are done well.

Toby Christiensen · Answer

According to the ISU rules online:
http://www.isu.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,4844-178381-195599-111175-0-file,00.pdf
Women are permitted to include such elements as spread eagles and Ina Bauers in their spiral sequences.  Why they choose not to is beyond me as to include them would raise their score.  As for the removal of the spiral sequence from required elements, I personally don't see this happening; but perhaps a greater importance placed on other like elements (spread eagles etc.) may make these sequences more interesting and therefore more to your liking.  And if you've ever done a 4 minute long program (I have) you would know that this is a time a skater looks forward to.

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Will COP ever remove the spirals in Senior Ladies LPs?

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