They pre-rotate their jumps, it is only possible when you are not fully developed and flexible, it puts immense stress on the back. This is the reason why almost all ex-Eteri athletes have tons of back problems. They are also infamous for their extreme diet regimes - e.g. Julia Lipnitskaya did not eat anything except for cellulose fodder for days. You might remember Julia from Sochi, she also ended her career rather quickly and had to undergo lengthy therapy because she was diagnosed with anorexia.Wat kind of jumping technique do they use that is different? As a layman to figure skating I can't tell the difference.
But from the body shape, the bronze winner from japan seem to have more powerful legs, abit chunky even. The Russian skaters are more lithe, legs are skinny in comparison. But they do more difficult jumps? It seems like they are in their own league.
They are in their own league in terms of jumps due to that technique but after they mature, they quickly fall from grace because their basics are not that great. It works because jumps > everything else under current rules. If they go through with raising the age limits, then the Russian figure skating scene will crumble because due to Eteri's success other coaches were practically sidelined.
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