Axel Jump

The Axel jump was invented by Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed it at the 1882 World Championships in Vienna. Paulsen, primarily a speed skater, wore figure skates for the event and executed a jump with one and a half rotations, landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The jump was initially called the "Axel Paulsen jump" and later shortened to "Axel." It remained a rare and difficult element for decades, with the double Axel not being landed in competition until 1948 by American skater Dick Button. The triple Axel was first landed in 1978 by Canadian skater Vern Taylor, and it became a standard element for top men in the 1990s. The quadruple Axel, long considered the ultimate challenge, was first successfully landed in competition by American Ilia Malinin in 2022 at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic.¹

The Axel is the only jump that takes off from a forward outside edge, which requires a distinctive technique. The skater glides backward, then turns forward, and springs from the forward outside edge of the skating foot, swinging the free leg forward to generate lift. The body rotates in the air, and the landing is on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Because of the forward takeoff, the Axel has an extra half-rotation compared to other jumps with the same number of revolutions (e.g., a double Axel is 2.5 rotations). The jump demands exceptional timing, balance, and explosive power. Biomechanical studies have shown that the takeoff velocity and the height achieved are critical factors, with elite skaters reaching heights of up to 0.7 meters and air times of about 0.6 seconds. The forward takeoff also makes the Axel more prone to under-rotation, which is a common cause of deductions in competition.

The Axel is a required element in both the short program and free skate for senior singles and pairs. In the short program, a single or double Axel is typically performed, while in the free skate, a triple Axel is often attempted by men and increasingly by women. The first woman to land a triple Axel was Midori Ito in 1988, and it remains a rare feat in women's competition. The quadruple Axel, with 4.5 rotations, was long considered impossible, but Ilia Malinin landed it in 2022, setting a new benchmark. The jump's difficulty is reflected in its base value: a triple Axel is worth 8.0 points, while a quadruple Axel is worth 12.5 points, the highest base value of any jump. The Axel has also been a deciding factor in many championships, such as the 2018 Winter Olympics, where the men's gold medal was won by Yuzuru Hanyu, who executed a flawless triple Axel in his free skate.²

Beyond the standard single, double, and triple Axels, there are several lesser-known variations and historical curiosities. The "waltz jump" is a half-rotation Axel that is often the first jump taught to beginners, serving as a stepping stone to the full Axel. In pairs skating, the Axel is performed in unison, and a "throw Axel" is a pair element where the man throws the woman into an Axel with a forward takeoff. The Axel has also been performed in ice dancing, though it is not a required element. In the early 20th century, some skaters attempted a "quadruple Axel" but failed, and the jump was considered impossible until Malinin's success. Additionally, the Axel is the only jump that is named after a person, as all other jumps (Salchow, Toe loop, Loop, Flip, Lutz) are named after their inventors or the technique. The Axel's forward takeoff also makes it the most difficult jump to learn, and many skaters spend years perfecting it before competing at high levels.³

Takeoff edge

The edge of the blade used to launch into the jump; for the Axel, it is the forward outside edge.

Rotation

The number of full turns in the air; the Axel has an extra half-rotation due to the forward takeoff.

Under-rotation

When a jump is not fully rotated, resulting in a deduction.

Base value

The fixed point value assigned to a jump in the scoring system.