The article explains the extreme physical and biomechanical challenges of the quadruple Axel, a figure skating jump requiring four and a half rotations. It details the precise physics involved, including the need for exceptional vertical velocity and rotational speed, which demands skaters to launch themselves nearly 20 inches off the ice while spinning at over 300 revolutions per minute. The piece highlights the immense strain the jump places on a skater’s body, particularly on joints like the ankles and knees, and discusses the technical evolution and few athletes who have attempted it. For a complete analysis of the forces and athleticism behind this feat, read the full article at https://www.wired.com/story/2026-winter-olympics-figure-skating-quadruple-axel-science/