(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 slideshow provided stop motion images from Malinin's two programs at 2024 Skate America.

The jump entry begins with steps and turns ending with a LFO to LBI three turn.  The skater then taps with the right foot and pre-rotates a bit more than 1/3 of a rotation. As he is taking off, the right leg kicks back and up.  This propels the skater into a lateral position nearly parallel to the ice.  There are then a bit more than 1 1/2 rotations in the air.

For this jump, the pre-rotation is not a part of cheating the jump as pre-rotation is in other cases.  Rather, the turn 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 RFI to RBO three turn, then a hop and tap from RBO onto RFI.  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.

So what does all that make this jump?

There is a LBI takeoff with right foot tap, two rotations from the tap to landing and a LBI landing on one foot.  This meets the definition of a one foot double flip, with variations including a lateral air orientation and loose air position.  Another variation from a standard flip is that in a standard flip the entry leg leaves the ice first followed by the tapping leg.  In this case that is reversed, with the pre-rotation taking place on two feet.

Since the rules allow jumps to be landed on either foot, strictly speaking this could be considered a listed jump with a 2F base value.  But since it is executed after all other jumps elements, whether it is or isn't is irrelevant.

An alternate view, given the near forward position at takeoff of the left leg, which leaves the ice last, and the 1 1/2 rotations in the air, this could be considered a one foot single Axel with a unique entry and lateral air orientation.  However, the skater never really establishes a forward outside edge before the takeoff, the usual takeoff skid is missing, the free leg is not swung through on the takeoff, and the lift of the jump comes from the use of both legs on the ice, which most importantly is never the case for an Axel - thus our conclusion that dynamically the jump is a flip variation which is purposely pre-rotated part of a turn to allow an alternate use of the tapping leg in assisting the takeoff and changing the air orientation, and not an Axel variation.  Note also, by the way, that a one foot Axel is also a listed jump.

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