Revised 13 December 2024:  Following the Grand Prixs we obtained a new camera that allows us to study elements in detail with nearly three times the temporal resolution as previously.  We got to use this camera at the final to revisit this element.  The text has been updated accordingly.

(10 November 2024)  The raspberry twist is a signature move for Ilia Malinin. It is a dramatic jump used as a connecting move in both the short program and free skate. But what is it?  So much is happening, and is so unexpected, it is hard to say looking in real time.

While included in both programs the executions differ slightly.  In the short program the pattern is counterclockwise and the jump is exited with several turns and steps.  In the free skate the pattern is clockwise and the jump is exited with steps into twizzles on the right foot. In both programs the jump is executed in the same place on the ice.

The following YouTube slideshows provided stop motion images from Malinin's two programs at 2024 Skate America, the short porgram at the Grand Prix final.

Skate America

Grand Prix Final

The jump entry begins with steps and turns ending with a LFO to LBI three turn.  The skater then sets the right foot, pivots on the right toe and rides the LBI edge for much of 1/2 of a rotation, and finishes the initial half rotation on the left toe [the amount of each varies with execution].  He then takes off from the left toe while the right leg kicks back and up.  There is no turn or step onto a forward edge. Kicking the leg propels the skater into a lateral position nearly parallel to the ice.  There are then 1 1/2 rotations in the air.

The pre-rotation is not a part of cheating the jump as pre-rotation is in other cases.  Rather, riding the LBI edge to mostly forwards with the right leg back puts the skater into a position that allows the right leg to be kicked back and up to change the air orientation.

The jump lands on a LBI edge.  The free foot toe is quickly put down on the ice.  In the short program the exit consists of double threes on the left foot, a step from LBI to RFI [a Mohawk], a RFI to RBO three turn, then a hop and tap from RBO onto RFI [a falling leaf].  In the free skate the exit instead has the free foot put down on its edge and then the skater rotates one half rotation on widely spaced two feet.  He then steps into twizzles on the right foot.

Putting the free foot down rather than gliding out of the landing is driven by the fact the lateral air position causes the weight of the skater to be forward of the left toe on the landing.  Putting the right foot down is necessary to prevent the skater from falling forward on the landing.

So what does all that make this jump?

Even though it has 1 1/2 rotations in the air and takes off from the left toe this is definitely not an Axel.  It does not have the same entry motion as an Axel and never gets on a left forward edge.  Nor is the free leg motion that of an Axel.

As it starts on a LBI edge and the initially free right toe contacts the ice, it might be considered a variation of a flip jump; however, the right foot doesn't really tap the ice, but rather provides a pivot point to ride the LBI edge for 1/2 rotation.  Also in a flip the entry leg leaves the ice first followed by the tapping leg.  In this case that is reversed. But fundamentally, not being a tap jump this isn't a flip either.

The other jump from a back inside edge is the Salchow [long ago once also known as a toeless flip], and many skaters today use the nominally free foot to assist in the take-off without a tapping motion.  So of all the listed jumps, the raspberry twist might be described as a one foot double Salchow with a one-half pre-rotation, a lateral air orientation and loose air position. 

Since the rules allow jumps to be landed on either foot and judges don't seem to care about pre-rotation, this could be considered a listed jump with a 2S base value.  But since it is executed after all other jumps elements, whether it is or is not is irrelevant to the scoring.

But wait, there's more. The take-off from the toe while kicking the free leg is also the take-off for a flying camel spin; but instead of laying out parallel to the ice and landing into a camel spin, the skater inserts 1 1/2 rotations and then exits the landing without executing a spin.  In a flying camel there is 1/2 rotation in the air and the skater lands on the right foot and commences the camel spin.  In the raspberry twist an additional rotation is added, with a bent right leg.  The bent right leg precludes landing on the right leg.

Whatever you call it, it is a spectacular moment in each program.