Fedor Klimov: “Everyone is waiting for the base value for ultra-C elements to be raised to make the risk justified. And the base value will increase when these elements are actually being performed. It creates a vicious cycle.”
Fedor Klimov on raising the age limits for juniors in pair skating and ultra-c elements.
original source: fsrussia.ru dd. 22d August 2024 by Olga Ermolina
Former pair skater and now a coach, Fedor Klimov shared his opinion on recent rule changes and raising the age for juniors in pair skating as well as ultra-c elements. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“Q: At one time, you were part of the athletes’ commission of the International Skating Union (ISU), and your comments on various topics were clear and understandable. In this context, the question arises: ISU has raised the age in junior pair skating to 23 for partners. What is your opinion on how this will affect junior pair skating?
Fedor Klimov: It is difficult to say what this will lead to right now. In Russia, everything remains the same. I have already said that I disagree with raising the age. 23 years old is no longer a junior. And if there are pairs where one partner is 23 years old and in another pair, the boys are 16-17 years old, how can you compare them? There is a huge difference that is immediately evident. Some are ready for the senior level, and others are still juniors.
The reasons for raising the age are understandable. Firstly, to keep more junior pairs. If a male partner has to move to seniors but the girl should still skate in juniors, it leads to the pair splitting up. Secondly, safety. Pair skating is difficult, and ideally, with the changes made, athletes can compete longer in juniors, where elements are simpler and there is one less lift, which provides an opportunity to develop skills. But, in my opinion, the old system was correct.
Q: Then logically, if pairs stay longer in juniors, to prevent stagnation, the sport should become more difficult to maintain interest, but this isn’t happening.
Fedor Klimov: Because the scoring for quadruple throws and twists is low, while the risk is high. And it’s unclear when this will change. Everyone is waiting for the base value for ultra-C elements to be raised to make it worthwhile, otherwise, the risk isn’t justified. And the base value will increase when these elements are actually being performed – it’s like, show us you’re doing these elements, and then we’ll raise the value. It creates a vicious cycle. How do you break out of it? Only by performing ultra-C elements regardless of everything.
Q: You’ve likely seen the video where Daniil Butenko, along with a Chinese skater, performs a quintuple twist. What is the likelihood that this element will be performed in competitions?
Fedor Klimov: In my opinion, the video of the quintuple twist is currently just a demonstration that such a thing is possible. It looks impressive. But from the perspective of existing rules in junior pair skating, it’s hard to predict the prospects.
ISU has adopted an amendment that in junior pair skating, the age difference between partners must not exceed 7 years. For the skaters who performed the quintuple twist, the difference is greater: the male partner is 21, and the female partner is 12.
Little girls at that age perform ultra-C elements, but what will happen as they begin to grow up and develop? Their height and weight will change.
In pair skating, it’s always very difficult to match partners in terms of anthropometric data and psychological compatibility, and it’s no secret that during puberty many junior pairs often split up — the female partner has grown, no longer fits with her partner, or something else.
So, it’s difficult to make predictions for now. And if you generally ask whether the quintuple twist will be in the programs? First, a base value needs to be assigned to this element so that it can be performed in competitions.”
Related topics: Ksenia Stolbova Fedor Klimov
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