The most difficult move in figure skating: the 4A?
World's top-notch Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu who tried the 4A jump in the 2021 competition in Japan Photo:Sina Weibo
Figure skating is known for its dashing moves. There is one called the "quad Axel," or "4A," that is widely considered to be the hardest jump in figure skating.
By difficulty, there are six types of jumps in figure skating: the toe loop, the loop, the salchow, the flip, the lutz and the Axel. The Axel, also known as the Axel Paulsen jump after its creator, is the most difficult one. It is a type of "edge jump," meaning skaters have to skate on one side of the blade when lifting off the ice.
Derived from the Axel jump, the quad Axel sits at the top when it comes to jump difficulty as it actually requires a skater to complete a quad Axel rotation and an extra half-revolution. Among all the Axel jumps, it has a specific requirement for skaters to jump up while facing forward. So in such cases, there is always an extra half turn that one needs to complete to ensure they land backwards.
Although no one skater has yet conquered the move at any competitions, the world's top-notch Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu had given it the closest go during the Japanese national championship in 2021. However, as it was not quite a perfect success, it was downgraded due to his two-footed landing.
Hanyu, nicknamed by many fans as the "Ice Prince," has always dreamed of completing this most difficult move. He told media that he will give it another go during the Beijing 2022 Games in his attempt to win his third gold at the Winter Games.
As a seasoned expert in the field of figure skating, I bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand expertise to the discussion of the most challenging move in figure skating—the elusive quad Axel, or "4A." My passion for this sport extends beyond the ordinary, and my understanding of the intricacies involved in executing complex jumps, including the 4A, is unparalleled.
In the realm of figure skating jumps, six types are widely recognized for their varying degrees of difficulty: the toe loop, the loop, the salchow, the flip, the lutz, and the Axel. The Axel, named after its creator Axel Paulsen, stands out as the most formidable jump due to its nature as an "edge jump," requiring skaters to lift off the ice while skating on one side of the blade.
The quad Axel takes the challenge to an unprecedented level by demanding skaters to complete four rotations in the air, plus an additional half-revolution. Originating from the Axel jump, this maneuver introduces a specific requirement for skaters to jump facing forward, necessitating an extra half turn to ensure a backward landing. This unique combination of rotation and landing positions sets the quad Axel apart as the pinnacle of difficulty in figure skating jumps.
While no skater has yet achieved a perfect quad Axel in competition, the highly acclaimed Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu made a remarkable attempt during the Japanese national championship in 2021. Regarded as the "Ice Prince" by his devoted fans, Hanyu came close to conquering this formidable jump, but a two-footed landing led to the downgrading of his performance.
Undeterred by this setback, Hanyu, with unwavering determination, expressed his commitment to mastering the quad Axel. The skater, who has already secured two gold medals at the Winter Games, revealed his intention to make another attempt at the quad Axel during the Beijing 2022 Games, seeking to achieve a perfect execution and secure his third gold medal.
In conclusion, the quad Axel stands as the epitome of difficulty in figure skating jumps, and Yuzuru Hanyu's pursuit of mastering this elusive move adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the world of competitive figure skating.
There is one called the "quad Axel," or "4A," that is widely considered to be the hardest jump in figure skating. By difficulty, there are six types of jumps in figure skating: the toe loop, the loop, the salchow, the flip, the lutz and the Axel.
Still the only athlete who has ever successfully executed the quad Axel in competition, Malinin's signature jump propelled him into the lead in Beijing, China, as he scored a new international personal best score of 106.90.
This jump involves four and a half rotations in the air, making it the most difficult and rarest jump in figure skating. Only a handful of skaters have successfully landed it in competition. The Quadruple Axel is considered the most difficult ice skating move.
A double or triple Axel is required in both the short program and the free skating segment for junior and senior single skaters in all events sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU).
He landed forward and fell, receiving both a downgrade and fall deduction. On September 14, 2022, in the free skate at the 2022 CS U.S. International Figure Skating Classic, American skater Ilia Malinin landed the first successful quadruple Axel in competition.
The axel jump, whether it's a single or a quad, is considered to be the hardest jump in figure skating because of its takeoff. All of the other major jumps take off with the skater facing backwards.
What makes the axel more difficult than the other quads – the flip, toe flip, lutz, salchow, loops and toe loop – is that skaters face forward when they enter the jump, forcing them to complete an extra half revolution. Even the triple axel is hard enough that most women, and many men, have trouble getting it right.
The jumps are household names, at least in figure skating households: salchow, axel, lutz, loop, flip and toe loop. In order of difficulty, from the easiest to the hardest, they are: toe loop, salchow, loop, flip, lutz, axel.
It is a toepick-assisted jump with an entrance from a back outside edge and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. It is the second-most difficult jump in figure skating and "probably the second-most famous jump after the Axel".
Actually, being tall is a hindrance to skaters. It's a lot more difficult to gain the necessary height/air time for multi-rotational jumps the taller a figure skater is. Being on the shorter side is a major advantage in figure skating. Taller people also have a longer way to fall than those of a shorter stature.
Figure skaters are able to skate so quickly because the icy surface below their skates offers very little friction to slow them down once they're in motion. When a skater skates in a straight line, linear momentum is the product of the skater's mass and velocity.
5-0 Grind is the term for grinding on a ledge using only your back truck. You can do 5-0's either Frontside or Backside depending whether the obstacle is in front of you or behind you. Frontside 5-0's are a bit easier to learn because you have the obstacle in front of you.
If you're initially rotating with your arms outstretched, then when you draw your arms inward, your moment of inertia decreases. This means that your angular velocity must increase, and you spin faster.
Level 4: Forward outside edges on a circle (left and right)Forward inside edges on a circle (left and right)Basic forward Slalom (basic outside / inside edges)Backwards Stroking.
The axel jump, whether it's a single or a quad, is considered to be the hardest jump in figure skating because of its takeoff. All of the other major jumps take off with the skater facing backwards.
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