Quad (figure skating)


A quad, or quadruple, is a figure skating jump with at least four but less than five revolutions. All quadruple jumps have 4 revolutions, except for the quadruple Axel, which has 4 1/2 revolutions, although no figure skater to date has landed the quadruple Axel in competition. The quadruple toe loop and quadruple Salchow are the two most commonly performed. Quadruple jumps have become increasingly common among World and Olympic level men's single skaters, to the point that not having one in a program has come to be seen as a severe handicap. The first person to land a ratified quadruple jump in competition was Canadian Kurt Browning in 1988. In 2002, Miki Ando became the first woman to do so, and she remains one of only five women to have landed a ratified quadruple jump in international competition.

History of first jumps

In singles competition for men:
In singles competition for women:
In pair skating competition:

Men

A jump harness is often employed in training quads. Max Aaron stated that the smallest error may make the difference in the success of a quad attempt: "The minute your left arm is behind you, or your three-turn is too fast, if your hips don't turn in time, if your foot isn't in the right place, anything will throw you off." Ross Miner stated that the quality of the ice sometimes plays a role but more on the quad salchow than the toe loop. Practicing quads increases the risk of injury as well as wear and tear on a skater's body.