How soon before the commentators start saying, "But she doesn't have...

[missing]

a triple axel/quad."

I can hear them working on the line in a variety of languages, few of which I speak, but in all of which I recognize a disapproving tonal quality.

So I figured I'd let you tell me how much longer I have to enjoy the current crop of skaters, most of whom cannot even pull off a triple lutz/triple loop, before their inadequate jumping abilities consign them to G.O.E trash heap.

 

[bardtoob]

1992

 

[soogar]

1992

Yeah they were saying that back then!

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

In 1991 when Tonya Harding and Midori Ito were landing triple axels, I believe Kristi Yamaguchi used to get a bit of heat for not having one. That was 27 years ago.

 

[Vagabond]

1992

And she won anyhow!

 

[miffy]

Does anyone have a list of who currently has 3a, 4s, 4t etc? I know that Kihira, Liu and Tuk can do 3a but not sure of anyone else, unless Nagasu returns? And I am totally lost with who can do quads....

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ill be curious to see how many of these ladies are doing 3 axels and quads at 19/20 years of age +

Mirai was able to do it (barely) later in career but after so much wear and tear Id like to see where Trusova and Kihira are when they become mature women.

Maybe they will still be doing them well but Ill be a bit curious.

 

[hanca]

Does anyone have a list of who currently has 3a, 4s, 4t etc? I know that Kihira, Liu and Tuk can do 3a but not sure of anyone else, unless Nagasu returns? And I am totally lost with who can do quads....

There was a youtube clip of Kostornaya doing clean 3A back in March, although she never did it in competition. Last year Guliakova also did 3A on youtube clip but she also never tried in competitions. Trusova can do quad toe loop, Salchow and Lutz and landed all of them in competition. Scherbakova has some quads too, if I recall there was a clip with either toe loop or Salchow last year, and Lutz this year, but she only tried quads in home competitions and Russian tests skate and not in international competition. Kostornaya, Scherbakova and Trusova will be senior eligible next season.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

And she won anyhow!

Actually, Yamaguchi was very, very lucky in Albertville. She skated much better at the Olympic Trials in Orlando, and the world championships in Oakland.

Both Ito and Harding had separate issues leading into the games which are both well-documented.

Surya Bonaly tried to psyche Ito out with a backflip in front of her during practice. Prior to that, Midori was skating very well indeed.

Harding was kept in the states by the USOC with multiple test skates to determine whether she should be sent or not.
An ankle injury sustained at US Nationals and jet-lag did not help her bid.

Yamaguchi also lost to Harding at Skate America and Midori Ito at Trophee Lalique, when they skated well.

On the basis of her internationals, I full expected Kristi to take bronze at the Olympics.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

There was a youtube clip of Kostornaya doing clean 3A back in March, although she never did it in competition. Last year Guliakova also did 3A on youtube clip but she also never tried in competitions. Trusova can do quad toe loop, Salchow and Lutz and landed all of them in competition. Scherbakova has some quads too, if I recall there was a clip with either toe loop or Salchow last year, and Lutz this year, but she only tried quads in home competitions and Russian tests skate and not in international competition. Kostornaya, Scherbakova and Trusova will be senior eligible next season.

There is another Japanese lady apart from Kihira, Ayaka Hosoda, who landed two triple axels in her free skate at the Western Sectionals several weekends ago. I don't have any footage, but I do have access to the elements sheet.

https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_e/west/data0205.pdf

 

[Bookseller]

a triple axel/quad."

I can hear them working on the line in a variety of languages, few of which I speak, but in all of which I recognize a disapproving tonal quality.

So I figured I'd let you tell me how much longer I have to enjoy the current crop of skaters, most of whom cannot even pull off a triple lutz/triple loop, before their inadequate jumping abilities consign them to G.O.E trash heap.

Since I've been reading Christine's book on the 1998 Olympics, I'm struck by how many of today's issues were cropping up then. Men's skaters were landing or failing to land quads in practice and competitions at that time. Brian Orser could land a quad, but never attempted one in competition. It is now 20 years later and men pretty much have to have at least one if not two to be competitive. Triple axels for Ladies were still extremely uncommon. It wasn't really part of the conversation.

Since things seem to go faster now and some of the Russian babies are attempting and landing quads, I am guessing that it will take less time to get to the "but she doesn't have... stage" so I chose 2030. Though I am sure that it will be a topic at the 2026 Olympics and possibly even 2022. But the "have to have a 3A or quad may not happen for another 12 years. I do think we'll see more of them in this Olympic quad though as the younger skaters move up. But I don't think they'll become that common.

 

[kwanatic]

As women/girls with these elements are more the exception than the rule, I think commentators will refer to them in the sense of them having it versus everyone else not having it. There's no telling if the quads and 3As will hold up longer than a few seasons for some of these girls so it may continue to be a battle of the most difficult triples.

Still, next season is going to be insane assuming Eteri's Triple A squad all make it to the GP intact--that's Alexandra Trusova, Anna Shcherbakova and Alena Kostornaia. Trusova and Shcherbakova are the ones with quads and may be capable of putting up TES in line with the men. Kostornaia's content is difficult but she has a lot of room for improvement if she were to add in the 3A. With Evgenia rebuilding and Alina still skating well but not quite looking invincible, those 3 could crash the podium at nationals this year.