No way!

I'll just add it to the long list of reasons to love them

It originated amongst the pairs skaters trying to push the boundaries but thankfully is now not legal in the sport. Ice dancers would never do it so I don't quite understand why they are allowing it in what is supposed to be ice dancing.
Ice dancing is all together more sedate and without the more athletic throws, jumps and spins of the pairs skating.

I think because realistically you cannot do proper versions of dances like the tango (even though last night they seemed to pretend otherwise) so the skaters are effectively just doing approximations in the sort of style of the dance to music, They keep trying to put these more 'circus' orientated things in, like the headbanger to make it interesting. I think they would be better off trying to stick to more inventive choreography, especially for the contestants like Hayley who can manage more than just about get round the rink.

Has anyone every refused to do it?

Did anyone else notice that Hayley seemed concerned that one of the other contestants would be given the headbanger or did I mis- hear what she was saying?

No, I think once she realised that it might be passed over to Danniella then she agreed to try it.

And it's a horrid, waste of time, move. Boring, too much build up - for what?

I'd rather have a nice spin, or a bit longer for more dancing than the 'headbanger' as I personally think it's ungainly.

Yeh I got the impression that she didn't want Daniella to do it. I'd like to think she was concerned for her safety but I think it was less charitable and more competitive a motivation


you are right though - it is a rubbish,waste of time move anyway

Yes I got that impression from what Hayley said too. Maybe reading too much into it but it came across as she would give it a go rather than have Daniella be first to do it

The show seemed to play up the difficulty, fears, doubts, and so on, more for Hayley's headbanger than for ones in the past. (But maybe I've forgotten how much of a fuss they made before?)

It is not dangerous. It may give the ellusion it is though.

It's obviously dangerous. She wasn't wearing a helmet in training for nothing, you know.

It's TV . It makes for better TV if they mke it look dangerous

Do you seriously think it would be done if their was any real danger to it. The programes lawers would suggest it would be a very bad idea if it were dangerous.

It just loks dangorous on TV. The worst you are likeling to get is a few minor cuts and bruises

Of course being swung around and up and down with your head inches from the ice is dangerous. Head injuries always have the potential for brain damage. The risk of something going wrong will be judged acceptable, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous.

Am I missing something, what cutting edge film is this please?

I had a dream about the headbanger the other week!
It went badly wrong and the celeb in question was killed when their head met the ice...

Too dangerous to enjoy watching...think they should ban it!!!!!!!!!!!

There is no danger of there head hiting the ice. It is all a part of the illusion

Didn't Bonnie Langford hit the ice ?? And so did David Seaman's partner once, although I guess he isn't a pro.

How can there be no danger - their heads are about two inches from the ice?

What a stupid comment.

Of course it is dangerous - just as many other moves and lifts are.

If it wasn't dangerous they would have the male celebs doing it to the female pros.

i don't like watching it , like others have said i think its too dangerous. I'd much rather see them do a toe loop jump.

It is dangerous, and obviously so. The helmet is a very sensible precaution.


It is obviously dangerous. Contestants do perform dangerous moves on tv. Of course, they won't be hurt unless something goes wrong; but things can do wrong.


That is obviously false. If their head smacks onto the ice, they can get worse than a minor cut or bruise.

To say there is no danger is OTT but the risk is quite low with an experienced male professional, especially when the girl isn't standing on entry or exit.

I love it when the pros do it but don't really enjoy when the celebs do it.

That's disgraceful if they are in effect,if not conciously, using someone's desire to shine to pressure them into attempting such things.


Agreed


Great suggestion

Cutting Edge 3 - Still only available in Region1 format.

Fred & Mel are the skate doubles for the 2 leading characters - you can see bits of it on youtube....... search on Cutting Edge 3 and the final 10 minutes has them in all their glory performing the "Pamchenko" - a headbanger (float spin) with thrown exit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAoBuNO9h_k

From what I was told by someone who does it regularly it is a lot less dangerous than it looks and not really more dangerous than many other lifts or ice skating in general. It's down to the physics and if they are rotating fast enough to get lift off then the girls head won't hit the ice unless the guy lets go and even then a lot of the force would be disappated in sliding along the ice.

It's not 'safe' exactly but then nothing is.

The worst part is the start and stop - although less so if they start and finish on the ice. Didn't Bonnie bash her head trying to do a standing start which is more difficult.

The helmet is probably as much to do with instilling confidence in the girl to try it.

I agree it doesn't really have a place on this show though or at least I wish it didnt'.

It's a lot easier for a girl to pull off a flashy looking headbanger lift than to do an impressive toe-loop. I suspect that's why we get them and the other flashy lifts