Rushing in program?

Funny how I've been complaining I keep rushing in my program and can't possibly have enough time to start (nor end) the step sequence in time with the music.

This week, the few times I ran through my program - and was able to actually do the first jump combination - I somehow managed to start the step sequence about where I'd intended to start it. My coach must be thinking I was making a fuss for nothing.

Blame it on the fact that before this, I never was able to really do the Axel-loop-toe loop combination... there would always someone where I'm supposed to jump, or I'd mess up the Axel! I must have virtually allocated too much time to the jump...

Anyway, I still feel rushed, but maybe its not that bad. Now I need to hold my spirals longer so I won't have to stand still for so long after the spiral sequence...

This morning, I actually managed to do the first 2 minutes of my program clean and without interruption (i.e. not avoiding people). What happened after that is not worth talking about!

Zamboni out of order

When I got to the rink last night, I found out that the Zamboni had broken down. There had not been ice resurface for the entire day, and the rink was almost a swimming pool! My coach joked that we have now become swimming coaches... (a joke I don't find so funny)

The ice was ok this morning, after sitting overnight, but I don't want to guess what it'd be like later. Hopefully they get the machine fixed quickly!

Exit of spin is take-off for jump

Two days ago I was pondering about a jump immediately after a spin.

If a skater performs a spin with an immediate following jump, the two elements are called as such. Credit will be given to the jump as a difficult take-off (GOE).

(clarifications on Pg 13 of ISU communication 1319)

I made a mental note to myself that it would have to be a toe loop or a loop immediately after the spin.

Suddenly, the realisation hit me - my combination spin ends with the "opposite spin", so I exit on the LBO edge, meaning I can (theoretically) go into a Lutz immediately! BUT it might not be possible (or it'd be ugly!)...

Then the next wave of realisation was that, if I moved my Lutz forward to be immediately after the spin, I wouldn't have to rush so much to start my step sequence on time!

On Sunday I tried a Lutz immediately after the spin. It was not impossible, but I had so little speed into the jump - it was so painfully slow! I tried it with a few more steps before the Lutz, it was better. I was set on changing my program on Monday morning...

There was one problem, however... I had not fully choreographed the changed part, and so when my coach saw it, he was not for the idea at all - let's not change the program less than 3 weeks before competition!

So my program stays - for now!