Skating Terms

JUMPS1

Axel: The skater must take off from a forward outside edge, revolve one and a half times in the air, and land on the opposite foot on a back outside edge.31
Double Axel: This requires two and a half revolutions in the air.12
Triple Axel: This requires a three and a half revolutions in the air.
These three jumps are considered the most treacherous jumps because of the forward outside- edge take off.29
Flip: The skater usually enters from a forward three turn, remains on the back with back inside edge, reaches back with the free leg, taps the blade's toe pick into the ice and vaults into the air revolving in a counterclockwise direction and landing on the opposite foot, on a back outside edge. 53
Loop Jump: The skater must lift off from a back outside edge, turn two or three times in the air and land on the same foot, on a back outside edge. 31
Lutz: The skater must be on back outside edge then reach back with the free leg, tap the blade's toe pick on the ice and vault himself/herself into the air, revolving in a counterclockwise direction and landing back on a outside edge. 41
Toe Loop: The skater must take off from a back outside edge, tapping the free leg toe pick on the ice, vault into the air and land on a back outside edge. 32
SPINS 1
Lay back Spin: The skater must bend backwards while spinning.(usually a ladies' spin) 14
Sit Spin: The skater must spin in a sitting position.10

Michelle Kwan

Michelle Kwan, who is she? What does she do? Well she's a world champion figure skater. She was born on July 7, 1980, in Torrance, California. 26

She began skating at the age of five. A year after that, she came in first at a competition. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Michelle won 2 single titles in 3 years at the world figure skating championship, on April 14, 1998. She also captured the world title in the following years: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003. She had won 60 1st prizes in her figure skating career through the years 1992-2005. 72

At the age of 13, Michelle came in 8th at the world championships. Which is very difficult to do at that age.22

In the years of 1998, she was only a senior in high school. She had a lot of interest in Harvard and law school. She also thought of beginning a career in television or even becoming a district attorney. 37

In 1998 a girl named Tara Cipinski came in first at Salt Lake City, surprisingly leading Michelle into 2nd. At this moment she is senior skater. Her home club is Los Angeles FSC. Her home town is Los Angeles, California. Artesia, California is her training town. Rafael Arutunian is her coach and her choreographer is Tatiana Tarasova. 57

As you can see Michelle Kwan has done very great in her figure skating career, but she has done other things through out her life. For example she has played the voice for Fa Mulan and Mulan. She also has played in 5 episode for Today through the years of 2005-2008. She has played in Entertainment Tonight and Ice Princess. 61

As you can see Michelle Kwan is a very hard worker and successful in what she has done. She's a very brave skater because even though there might be other people who have won more awards. I look up to her because when she has fallen and it's hard to get back to your feet, she does it any ways. That's why she's one of my favorite skaters.68