Cantilever (figure skating)

The cantilever, also called layback spread eagle, is a figure skating element. Similar to the spread eagle, the skater travels along a deep edge. With knees bent, the skater bends their back backwards, parallel to the ice.

Element nameCantilever

InventorWerner Groebli

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Figure skating element
Element name	Cantilever
Inventor	Werner Groebli

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It was invented by Werner Groebli, better known as "Mr. Frick", a long-time show skater with Ice Follies. The first woman to perform it was Janet Lee in 1973 and was hired by as a principal skater by Ice Capades in 1986 because of it. More recently, it became a signature move of Joseph Klein, Ilia Klimkin, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Alexandra Trusova, and Shoma Uno. Shoma Uno also frequently uses the cantilever in exhibition performances.