"Axel" refers to a figure skating jump where the skater takes off from the forward outside edge and completes one and a half rotations in the air before landing on the opposite foot. Full definition
Harding, the movie reminds us, was a phenom, an athletic skater who was the first female to land a triple axel in competition, and, to this day, is one of only six women to do so. (philly.com)
Though Harding was the first American woman to complete a triple axel in competition, her legacy was forever defined by her association with an infamous, ill - conceived, and even more poorly executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor Nancy Kerrigan. (rottentomatoes.com)
The 24 - year - old figure skater became the first American woman to land a triple axel during Olympic competition, and it helped to earn Team USA a bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics. (sbnation.com)