CultureSeptember 4, 2026
axel
AK-suhl
Definition
A specific type of figure skating jump that begins with a forward takeoff from the outside edge of one skate.
Etymology
Named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed the jump in the 1880s while wearing speed skates.
In the news
Alysa Liu mentions the jump to highlight the absurdity of assigning numeric values to the technical aspects of an inherently artistic performance.
Alysa Liu in conversation with Laufey.
Read the full article ↗Perfect Magazine