In figure skating, few feats like the quad axel captivate the imagination. With its unparalleled difficulty and rarity, landing this mythical jump has long been the pursuit of only the most elite skaters. Among them, Ilia Malinin stands as a beacon of inspiration, his mastery of the quad axel setting him apart as a true legend of the ice. But what does it take to unlock the secrets behind this awe-inspiring jump? Join us as we delve into the intricacies of Ilia Malinin's quad axel, uncovering the hidden techniques and training methods that have propelled him to greatness.
Understanding the Mechanics
To unravel the mystery of the quad axel, we must first grasp its fundamental mechanics. Unlike any other jump in figure skating, the quad axel requires an unprecedented four-and-a-half rotation in the air, making it a formidable challenge for even the most skilled athletes.
Perfecting Technique
Every detail of Malinin's technique is meticulously honed to maximize efficiency and control in the air. Each movement is carefully orchestrated from the takeoff to the landing to achieve the perfect rotation.
Overcoming Fear
Conquering the quad axel requires courage and determination in the face of fear. Malinin has learned to embrace the adrenaline rush of attempting such a daring jump, channeling it into focused determination. Since his first success, he has shown us his talents by accomplishing astonishing combination jumps, such as a quad toe with a quad axel. Only in shows for the moment.
In November 2022, I was curious about the difference between a triple and a quad axel.
Unfortunately, I didn't find the same camera angle in high quality for a side-by-side comparison.
These data are from the triple axel done during the 2022 ISU World Championships.
Flight time: 0.633s
Angular velocity of the snap: 23.62rad/s (he got his final air position in 0.266s rotating around 360°)
Launch angle: 41°
Height ( approximative): 74cm
Data from the first-ever quad axel landed in competition ( ISU Grand Prix, Skate America 2022 (22 October 2022).
Flight time: 0.800s +26% compared to the 3A
Angular velocity of the snap: 26.18rad/s +10% compared to the 3A
(he got his final air position in 0.240s, rotating around 360°)
Launch angle: - ( Camera angle not correct to get this data)
Height ( approximative): 86cm +16% compared to the 3A
Data from the 4A Montreal 2024 Free Skating
Flight time: 0.800s
Angular velocity of the snap: 22.907rad/s
Launch angle: 46°
Height ( approximative): 78cm
Height ( approximative): 300cm