Why don't ice skaters get fall down dizzy after those prolonged spins?

[Randypiper]

Is it practice? Do they feel it but know how to counter it?

[joeybee12]

1. Don't let your eyes follow the spin...

...that's sort of the trick. However, you will notice that the really long spins come right at the end of the program...you're gonna feel a little off-balance even with he tricks and training.

[TZ]

2. They do whats called "spotting"

As a dancer who often gets spun 3-4-5 times in a row, I've learned how to do it..Its not easy but it helps.....

[DRex]

3. I've wondered that myself....

if I spin once or twice like that I almost pass out, but they do it twenty odd times at high speed and I don't see them turning their heads against their motion to counteract the spin. They are simply moving too fast to do that.

And then they will get up and do some crazy jump right after. I couldn't imagine being able to stand after that! Incredible.

[joeybee12]

4. Evan Lysacek says the fast spins are easier, because everything is a blur...

...some of the slower ones make him dizzy because he can see things as he spins, and that's the dizzying part.

[DRex]

7. Strange, because it is the inner ear that governs balance...

So I wonder what seeing has to do with it... Amazing to watch anyway, however it works.

[joeybee12]

8. That's what he said...

...two other skaters here have posted about spotting, which maybe is what he meant...he said it on MSNBC...one of those segments where the athletes take questions from the fans.

[DoBotherMe]

5. I got used to it but if I came out of

a spin and was dizzy it's best to follow the spin out with some opposite foot strokes and an edge change. You can regain your bearings quite easily with practice. Plus you're thinking about your next move and your brain doesn't really register that it's dizzy. Dana ; )

[LisaM]

6. You don't feel like you're going around

I can't really explain it, but I've done lots of spins on the ice and you kind of focus on a fixed point and you don't feel like you're going around. It's kind of like being on a ride that spins - people don't get off those and stagger around either.

[Poiuyt]

9. They should do the dizzy bat race

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