Gustave Lussi - Legacy

Legacy

Lussi's skaters are known for their superb spinning technique. Lussi was also responsible for developing modern figure skating jump technique, including the now-standard cross-legged or back spin position in the air. His pupil Dick Button was the first to perform a triple jump, and his students were also the pioneers of flying spins such as the flying camel and flying sit spin which are now a standard part of every elite skater's repertoire.

In April 1990, a documentary film Gustave Lussi: The Man Who Changed Skating was shown on the PBS television network. The documentary was conceived and co-produced by his former student Cecily Morrow and produced by station WCFE-TV. Around this time Morrow also worked with Lussi to produce a series of instructional videos capturing his coaching techniques.

Some of Lussi's other students, such as Mary Scotvold, Robin Wagner, Evelyn Kramer and Priscilla Hill, have also become successful coaches who have passed on Lussi's techniques to subsequent generations of skaters. Wagner coached Sarah Hughes to the 2002 Olympic title and Sasha Cohen to her first World Championship medal. Priscilla Hill has coached Johnny Weir to three national titles. Evelyn Kramer is now known as a "spin doctor" and has helped many skater improve their spins. They include Michelle Kwan, Robin Cousins and Caryn Kadavy. He was enshrined into the professional Skaters Association Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002.