The physics behind the Quad Axel, the most difficult jump in snowboarding

in ice skating, It is generally considered a quadrilateral axis The most difficult jump. Until 2022, when American skater Ilya Malinin – currently the “Quadruple God” – will shine at the World Championships. 2026 Winter Olympics– I started doing it, it seemed impossible. Of course, a landing can give the athlete a higher score. But for skaters without generational talent like Malinin, they absolutely nail it how Pulling a quad axle can be difficult. But physics can provide some clues.

In 2024, Journal of Sports Biomechanics published a study Written by Seiji Hirosawa, a researcher at Toin University, who has brought science a little closer to understanding how quadrilaterals work. One of the biggest factors? Get high. Like 20 inches off the ground.

In the current scoring system for figure skating competitions, the jury, which in case Milano cortina games It consists of two technical specialists and a technical controller, and assigns a score to each technical element, namely jumps, spins and steps. However, the scores of more difficult jumps, such as triple or quadruple jumps, are higher than those of other technical elements, so skaters must perform them correctly in order to win competitions.

In general, the axel is the most technically complex of the jumps. There are three main types, each characterized by its own take-off: toe, blade, or edge. Most are named after the first person to make them; The Axel is named after Norwegian skier Axel Poulsen. It is also the only one that involves a forward start, which forces the athlete to perform more half turns than other jumps. Thus the simple axel requires one and a half turns to complete, while the quadruple axle requires four and a half turns in the air.

To shed light on the specific motor strategies athletes use to perform the quadruple pivot jump, Hirosawa’s study focused on footage of two skaters who attempted this jump in competition. Using data from what is known as the Ice Range Tracking System, the researchers analyzed several factors: vertical height, horizontal distance, and ski speed before take-off and after landing.

In contrast to previous biomechanical studies, which indicated that jump height does not change significantly, Hirosawa’s study found that increasing jump height is critical to successfully performing the quadruple axel jump. In fact, both skaters were aiming for much greater vertical heights in their attempt to perform this jump than the triple pivot.

“This indicates a strategic shift toward increasing vertical height to master 4A (quadruple axis) jumps, in contrast to previous biomechanical research that did not emphasize vertical height,” the study concluded.

Hirosawa adds that increasing the height of the jump provides an increase in flight time by allowing a greater number of rotations around the longitudinal axis of the body. Short version: Jump higher, turn further. “The results of this study provide valuable insights into the biomechanics of quadruple and triple pivot jumps, update current theories of figure skating research, and provide insight into training strategies for managing complex jumps,” the study concluded.

Easier said than done, unless you’re Ilya Malinin.