Backward Outside Death Spiral?
When I was in Delaware for work a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to take another pairs lesson with 2002 Olympian, Phil Dulebohn. Because I had just sprained my ankle and had some boot issues that week, I was unable to do any jumps or throws.
One thing he tried with me was an exercise to prepare me for a potential backward outside death spiral. I had never attempted this on ice before, so it was VERY scary. One wrong move or a slip of the edge, and I’m toast. Thankfully, Phil made me feel very safe and secure, as he was holding onto both of my hands, and we were moving at snail’s pace. After attempting it once, the second time wasn’t as scary.
Once I returned home, I wanted to try the exercise with my pairs partner. I was petrified of trying this on ice, so we enlisted the help of our skating director, who put me in the harness (backwards!). Because the harness was pull on my belly button, she would have been able to keep me upright if I caught an edge and fell backwards. Genius!
Maybe we’ll get this one day?