Ever since Axel Paulsen landed a single jump 120 years ago, FIgure skating has revolved around getting airborne. In Salt Lake City, all eyes will be on the men’s competition, where the quadruple jump figures to be the make-or-break move.
Landing a quad
In less than a second, launch into the air, turn four times around and land on a blade that’s no thicker than a strand of spaghetti. Land it and a skater will be assured a medal, providing he executes the rest of the program perfectly. One fall, however, and he is likely to go home empty-handed.
King of the quad
Rolling Meadows native Timothy Goebel, a.k.a. the “King of the Quad,” has landed more than 50 quadruple jumps in competition since his FIrst in 1998. Over the past two years, researchers at Montana State University have been studying the physics of Goebel’s jumps.
APPROACH
Goebel bends his legs to attain maximum thrust from his quadricep muscles and swings both outstretched arms to generate rotational velocity.
TAKEOFF
Goebel is already 43 degrees into his FIrst rotation when he jams his left toe pick into the ice.
His right leg begins to straighten as Goebel presses up off the pick to create upward speed.
FLIGHT
When Goebel leaves the ice, he is halfway through his FIrst rotation.
Once airborne, he increases his rotational speed by drawing his hands to his chest and crossing his legs.
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Goebel reaches a height of 19.3 inches.
LANDING
Goebel starts opening his body position to slow down.
When his right skate makes contact with the ice, Goebel is 75 degrees short of this last rotation.
He opens his arms and legs to gain stability.
In the air, Timothy Goebel has a backward lean of 18 degrees.
Average rotational speed: 5 revolutions per second
Takeoff angle: 43 degrees
The right leg remains fairly straight in the air.
Recognizing the jumps
Jumps are identified by their approach and takeoff. Once in the air, skaters typically rotate counter-clockwise and land on the right foot. The most common jumps in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest:
Toe loop (shown above)
First performed by Thomas Litz in 1964, it was the FIrst type of quad to be landed. The toe loop is the easiest of the jumps and is often the second jump in a combination.
Number of revolutions
1 2 3 4 Men’s debut
1 2 3 Women’s debut (not available for all jumps)
APPROACH TAKEOFF FLIGHT
Salchow
Invented by Ulrich Salchow of Sweden in 1901. One of two jumps where a quad has been landed. Forward on left skate. Turns backward and jumps off left skate.
Loop
Invented by Werner Rittberger in 1910. Often the second jump in a combination. Backward on right foot. Takes off from the right skate.
Lutz
Invented by Alois Lutz of Austria in 1913. Only jump approached on a clockwise arc. Long approach, backward on left. Uses right toe pick to jump.
Axel
Invented by Axel Paulsen of Norway in 1882. The most difFIcult jump and the only one to take off forward. Backward on right foot. Turns forward and jumps off left skate. Spins extra half turn to land backward. Note: Some skaters, usually those left-handed, jump clockwise. For these skaters, the feet are switched during approach and takeoff.
Putting a program together
In the 2-minute-40-second short program, eight speciFIc moves are required, including jumps, spins and fast-step footwork. The required moves differ for men and women.
Michelle Kwan’s Olympic short program
Performed to the finale from “Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor” by Rachmaninov
REQUIRED MOVES
FIRST MINUTE
1. Triple jump-triple jump combination (skaters can choose to do a triple-double combination instead)
2. Double axel
3. Layback spin (or a sideways leaning spin)
SECOND MINUTE
4. Spiral-step sequence
5. Triple jump preceded by connecting steps (or a double jump)
6. Flying spin
LAST 40 SECONDS
7. Serpentine step sequence (or a straight line or circular pattern)
8. Spin combination
Athletes to watch
MEN
Evgeni Plushenko, Russia
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2001-02 finishes: 8 gold medals, 2 silvers
Coach: Alexei Mishin
Music (short; long): music by Michael Jackson; “Eclipse” from Cirque de Soleil
Top competitor: Alexei Yagudin, Russia
WOMEN
Irina Slutskaya, Russia
2001-02 finishes: 7 gold medals, 4 silvers
Coach: Zhanna Gromova
Music: “Serenade” by Franz Schubert; “Tosca” by G. Puccini
Top competitor: Michelle Kwan, U.S.
PAIRS
Jamie Sale, David Pelletier, Canada
2001-02 finishes: 8 golds
Coach: Jan Ullmark
Music: “Jalousie” by L. Foster; “Love Story” (soundtrack) by Francis Lai
Top competitor: Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, Russia
Schedule
Figure skating
At Salt Lake Center
FEBRUARY 2002
9 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 21
Pairs
Feb. 9: Short program
Feb. 11: Free program
Men
Feb. 12: Short program
Feb. 14: Free program
Dance
Feb. 15: Compulsory
Feb. 17: Original
Feb. 18: Free
Women
Feb. 19: Short program
Feb. 21: Free program
— Sources: Dr. Deborah King at Montana State University, “Edge of Glory,” by Christine Brennan, “Figure Skating Championship Techniques,” by John Misha Petkevich, Figure Skating School by Peter Morrissey and James Young, Skating Magazine, International Skating Union, U.S. Figure Skating Association, Jackson Skates, Skatehistory.com, AP