The first ratified quad axel in figure skating was landed by American skater Ilia Malinin.

Who Did the First Quad Axel?

Ilia Malinin became the first skater in history to land a quadruple axel in competition at the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in Lake Placid in September 2022. He was 17 years old at the time and the jump instantly became a landmark moment in the sport.

Why the Quad Axel Is Such a Big Deal

The Axel is the only jump that takes off facing forward, so a quad axel actually requires about four and a half rotations in the air. That extra half turn makes it significantly harder than other quads like the toe loop or Salchow, which “only” require four full rotations.

When And Where It Happened

Malinin landed the quad axel during his free skate at the Challenger Series U.S. International Figure Skating Classic in Lake Placid, New York. The performance helped him win the men’s event and completed the “quad arsenal,” meaning every type of jump had now been done as a quadruple in an official competition.

Reactions and Legacy

Skating outlets and fans immediately framed the quad axel as one of the most difficult jumps ever landed, marking the start of a new technical era in men’s figure skating. Malinin himself has cited Yuzuru Hanyu’s earlier attempts at the quad axel as an inspiration to finally land it successfully in competition.

Is there anything specific you’d like to know next, like how the quad axel is scored or how it compares to other quads in difficulty?