Gustave Lussi

Gustave François Lussi (1898 – June 23, 1993) was a figure skating coach. Born in Switzerland, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 20. His students include many champions, such as Dick Button, Donald Jackson, Ronald Robertson, Ronald Ludington, Barbara Ann Scott,David Jenkins, Hayes Jenkins,Dorothy Hamill (during her novice years), John Misha Petkevich, and John Curry.

Some of Lussi's students, such as Robin Wagner, Evelyn Kramer and Priscilla Hill, have also become successful coaches. Wagner coached Sarah Hughes to the 2002 Olympic title and Sasha Cohen to her first World Championship medal – a silver at the 2004 World Figure Skating Championships. 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.

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.

Lussi himself was not a competitive skater but a ski jumper who applied the theories of that sport to figure skating. Beginning in 1932, he was based at the Olympic rink in Lake Placid, New York, one of the few rinks in the world that provided summer ice in those days. He died on June 23, 1993, at the age of 95.

References

* "Dick Button on Skates". Dick Button, 1955.
* "Systematic Figure Skating: The Spin & Jump Techniques of Gustave Lussi". (instructional videos)