Definition: In a throw Axel, the lady does the traditional Axel jump, but does so after her partner throws her in the air. The female pair skater gets an added push from the man. That added push gives the lady more height and distance.
Also Known As: In Russia, the throw Axel is call "The Kauffman."
Examples: In the late 1960s, United States pair skating champions, Cynthia and Ronald Kauffman, introduced the throw Axel move to Russia. Since then, in Russia, the throw Axel is called "The Kauffman." Russian pair skating legends, Irina Rodnina and Aleksandr Zaitsev, did a spectacular throw Axel, but give the Kauffman's credit for inspiring them to do the move.
At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, 2006 U.S. Pair Skating Champions Rena Inoue and John Baldwin landed the first throw triple Axel.
