The new volt rule came as a shock to Valtter Virtane. The Finnish figure skater would have preferred stricter measures regarding the dangerous trick.
Bettina Törnvall,
Simo Arkko
In its summer meeting, the ISU Congress of the International Figure Skating Union decided to allow the vault from this season. In the past, having fun resulted in a deduction of two points. You can’t get extra points for Volt even with the current rules.
The rule change came as a surprise and at the same time a shock to the experienced Finnish figure skater and the doctor of JYP’s SM league team Valtter Virtane.
– On my behalf, they could have put a deduction of ten points instead of allowing it. The moment is awaited with mixed feelings of fear when someone slips or the skate goes into an old groove, Virtanen recounts.
The rule reform was justified, among other things, by the fact that the skill level of figure skaters has increased compared to previous years.
– As a movement, the vault can be easier to learn than, for example, the quadruple jump. On the other hand, the public does not necessarily understand the risks of Volt. Then there is no more cheering if an athlete hits his head and lies motionless on the ice.
In addition, we want to get more enthusiastic spectators into the sport.
– Although figure skating has perhaps fallen behind other sports in terms of entertainment, I wouldn’t change the core of the sport too much.
Volti is allowed in all races over the age of 13. The Finnish hero pushes the responsibility to the coaching side.
– The coaches need to be smart and make sure that they don’t start doing tricks. Coaches are not allowed to encourage it and they are not allowed to put them in the programs.
A concussion at best
Virtanen, 37, has never tried volt and never plans to. He also doesn’t know any current Finnish figure skater who has tried the volt.
– On the descent of one jump, I hit my head on the ice. That was enough for me.
In the final shows, some volts have been seen in recent years. However, the performances are associated with a different setting than the competition situation itself.
– In the show, the athlete is able to focus on the movement in a different way, but the games always have their own excitement. The ice always changes after each skater, and fatigue can be overwhelming. Ice is not a running track.
A fall can lead to concussion at the mildest, and even cerebral hemorrhage and paralysis at the worst.
– I wouldn’t consciously take risks, Virtanen states.
As an analogy, Virtanen threw a trampoline jump, where the coach is on the sidelines to make sure if the volt goes over. On the ice, on the other hand, the coach cannot be there to make sure.
Virtanen also criticized Adam Siao Him Fanin back-to-back volt at the European Championships in January. Despite losing a point, the Frenchman won the gold.
– I and many other skaters are of the opinion that that back flip wasn’t even neat and the descent wasn’t the best either, Virtanen criticized the French star.
– Volt just doesn’t fit all programs. It must not remain just one decoration shop.
The Volt fascinates some
After the decision of the International Figure Skating Federation, among others, the American Ilia Malin included the volt in its software. He had been practicing the vault for years and did it last month at the Lombardia Trophy in Italy.
The American, who won the competition, plans to keep the volt in his repertoire also in harder level competitions.
– I definitely plan to keep it. I’m thinking about ways I can take it to the next level in the future, like adding turns or other crazy combinations, Malinin said according to news agency AP.
Canadian On Elladj Baldé on the other hand, holds the volt long jump world record (6.10 m) from 2022. The same person has also jumped the vault with a height of 62.2 centimeters Over the NBA trophy.