It can be done that way but you shouldn't need to. Feathering the weight of the auger when getting through the last bit of ice is key. Drilling right through with force will put your auger deep and higher up thus making it harder to pull out. I find that just geting through the ice (not way below it) and tapping the power button on the withdrawl makes it easy. Like any new power auger new to someone, you need to get the feel of it. Just let the blades break through without dropping the auger down way more through the ice then need be. Feathering it is the key.
