Crossword Genius

Alpinist's regrettable lack of control (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tailspin

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lack of control' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'alpinist's regrettable' is the wordplay.
'regrettable' indicates an anagram.
'alpinist' anagrammed gives 'TAILSPIN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tailspin that I've seen before include "Spiral aeroplane dive" , "State of rapidly increasing panic" , "awful state" , "that could result in crash" , "confused state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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