The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take off. It is named after Norwegian figure skater Axel Paulsen, who, in 1882, was the first skater to perform the jump. Compared to other common figure skating jumps, an Axel has an extra ½ rotation in the air because of its forward take off. Most skaters perform the jump with counterclockwise rotation, taking off from the left forward outside edge and landing on the right back outside edge. The Axel can also be done as a double jump with 2½ rotations, or as a triple jump with 3½ rotations. As of February 2014, no skater has accomplished a quadruple Axel (4½ rotations) in competition.