The Triple Axel is the Everest of women's figure skating, both terrifying and compelling. The only jump that starts on the forward foot, it explodes in 31/2 revolutions -- yet demands a delicate touch on takeoff and iron strength on landing.
Tonya Harding became the first U.S. woman to land the jump in competition when she completed it 45 seconds into her free skate at the 1991 U.S. championships. The second young woman to land the triple axel was cute and bouncy teenager, 15 year old Kimmie Meissner on January 15, 2005.