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About Dianne DeLeeuw
Expertise
I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing! To correct or instruct you on manuevers is really not what I want to do.

Experience
Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars.

Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club

Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge

Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year

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Figure Skating - Need New Blades

Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw - 6/17/2009

Question
Hi!

I am an adult skater working on an inconsistent axel and double salchow. I have been having problems slipping on my take off to the axel and my coach suggested that I look into new blades. Currently I have Wilson coronation aces (7’ radius). When I skated before (as a kid and teenager, with all my doubles) I always had MK Phantoms with a 7’ radius. The pro shop I have been working with suggested Ultima freestyles with an 8’ radius. Will the larger radius help me on my take offs? Also I am concerned that having the longer rocker will throw me off and take a lot of adjustment to get used to them. Do you think that they will be hard to adjust to (I only have time to skate twice a week)? Besides having more of the blade on the ice to increase speed, how does the longer rocker affect skating?

Thanks for your help,
Sabrina

Answer
Hi,
My students love the Ultima FS. Spins all improve and the toe jumps are great. I also used Phantoms and even though I don't skate much when I teach I feel greta on the Ultima FS. So either blade is good, but the Ultima has been an easy transition for my kids.
Good luck,
Dianne

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