What is Biellmann spin?
[[Image:Nana Takeda 2005 Croatia Cup Ex 2.jpg|right|thumb|The Biellmann position performed as part of a spiral sequence]] [[Image:Emily Hughes Spin - 2006 Skate America.jpg|right|thumb|The classic Biellmann with both hands on the blade]] [[Image:Jamal Othman Spin - 2006 Skate Canada.jpg|right|thumb|The Half-Biellmann position]] The '''Biellmann spin''' is a spin in [[figure skating]]. It is performed on one [[foot]]. The free [[leg]] (the leg not on the ice) is pulled up from behind and pulled above the [[head]]. The [[knee]] is bent slightly and the back is bent backwards into the spin. This forms a [[teardrop]] position with the body. In the classic version of the spin, both arms are used to hold up the leg. A slightly changed version has one hand on the skate and the other hand on the arm holding up the skate. A change can be made in that one hand can be dropped. If the hand holding up the spin is on the same side of the body as the leg, the spin is referred to as a ''one-hand Biellmann spin'', because the spin is being performed with one hand. If the hand holding up the spin is on the opposite side of the body as the leg, the spin is referred to as a ''cross-grab Biellmann spin'', because that hand has to ''cross'' the body to ''grab'' the skate. The spin has also been said to look like a ''[[tulip]] on a [[turntable]]''. It is one of the most iconic figure skating moves. Along with the [[layback spin]], the Biellmann is used in advertisements and icons representing figure skating. The position is also used in spiral sequences. == Spin history == No one knows who invented the spin. [[Cecilia Colledge]] of Great Britain performed a one-handed Biellmann spin in 1937. There is a famous [[photograph]] of her doing the spin at the 1937 World Figure Skating Championships. [[Tamara Moskvina]] of the Soviet Union performed the spin at the 1965 European Championships and there is a famous photo of her doing it as well. Both [[Janet Champion]] and [[Slavka Kohout]] of the United States performed this spin early on.