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Organized figure skating has been around since the 18th century. Since then it has grown and evolved into the Olympic sport we see today. There have been many notable skaters and moves in skating's distinguished history. One of the most interesting and storied is the axel jump.

The axel jump is one of the most difficult jumps to learn, though it is regularly used in high level competitions. It is a clockwise jump, though can be reversed. The jump adds a half spin, leaving the skater travelling backwards after completion. Double and triple axel jumps are common, though a quadruple axel jump has yet to be performed in competition by anyone, male or female.

The jump is named after Axel Paulsen, the first person to perform the stunt. Axel Paulsen was equally successful in figure and speed skating. He performed the jump in 1882 at what is regarded as the first world championships, in Vienna, Austria. He was wearing speed skates for the jump, and went on to win world titles in both figure skating and speed skating. His technique, however, would not score very high in today's competition...