The axel jump is a figure skating jump that is notable for its unique takeoff. It is an edge jump, meaning the skater takes off from the outside edge of one skate. The jump is characterized by a forward motion, allowing the skater to complete one and a half rotations in the air before landing on the opposite foot. Named after Axel Paulsen, a Norwegian figure skater who first performed it in the late 19th century, the axel jump is considered one of the more difficult jumps in figure skating. It is often included in competitive routines and is a key element in a skater's technical repertoire.