This YouTube video shows David Jenkins performing a triple axel
in 1957. That's incredible considering the jump wasn't officially
performed in competition until 1978 by Canadian skater Vern Taylor at the World
Figure Skating Championships. (That's 21 years later!)
If you stop the video and look at David's technique, you'll see
nearly the same body positions and movements as executed by more recent skaters.
Also, consider the quality of the skating boots that David Jenkins probably wore
to get an even deeper appreciation of his talent.
This is amazing and one the most surprising little gems on
YouTube. Please leave a comment!!
Please rate this content and leave a comment below.
Last Updated: Oct 31, 2008 at 5:33 PM
-- Current Rating: 4.48 of 5
» [- Oct 31, 2008 at 6:02 PM -] Trevorsays: I know I put this page up, but I also have to comment on it. The delayed axel in the beginning is sweet! Wow can he jump high. It's amazing to think how talented some of the greats of years gone by really were.
» [- Nov 1, 2008 at 11:59 AM -] Eileensays: Oh, the beauty of the delayed single axel
» [- Nov 2, 2008 at 10:22 PM -] Karensays: My jaw dropped when I saw the delayed single axel and then again when I saw the technique and landing of the triple. My first thought was the difference in the boots. AMAZING!!!
» [- Feb 5, 2009 at 2:13 PM -] Melaniesays: He was amazing! One can only wonder what kind of skater he would be today.
» [- Feb 5, 2009 at 7:42 PM -] Jessicasays: Thanks for sharing this! What a neat video!
» [- Feb 6, 2009 at 12:26 PM -] Darin Hosiersays: Oh my! - WOW!!
» [- Feb 7, 2009 at 12:45 PM -] Robert Mautisays: WOW!!!
» [- Feb 11, 2009 at 12:41 PM -] amanda barkersays: It was really tight, modern looking I was expecting it to be one of those "let just get the revs in no matter how it looks". I love the push back and arm position on takeoff!
» [- Feb 15, 2009 at 11:06 PM -] Lynnsays: Delayed axle...beautiful! Triple axle...pretty amazing for those days.
» [- Feb 19, 2009 at 8:47 AM -] Bobbe says: Ronnie Robertson also did a tripple axel in 1956. He didn't do it in the olympics but I did see it in Lake Placid.
» [- Feb 23, 2009 at 9:37 AM -] sk8nonsays: (LOL) I'm old enough to remember seeing Jenkins do this in Sun Valley where I trained every summer from 56- 61...
Since this is a teaching website, is it possible to be able to put the video into slow motion in order to see the intricacies of jumps and spins?
» [- Mar 5, 2009 at 7:50 AM -] Angiesays: Awesome! the trajectory of the jump to get that high!, The deep right outside edge on take-off and the incredible torque he creates at the top of the jump! Thank you for posting this!
» [- Mar 5, 2009 at 10:44 AM -] Gaye Ohaniansays: this was when skating was exciting and fun to watch!
» [- Mar 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM -] Sharon uptonsays: Sensational and inspiring
» [- Mar 13, 2009 at 7:57 AM -] Rita Bsays: That was fantastic!
» [- Mar 24, 2009 at 8:53 AM -] Bethsays: Wonderful, thank you for posting this.
» [- Apr 30, 2009 at 9:27 PM -] Nathaliesays: Nopt a comment about the actual skating : Hehehe, I like how the off voice describes the video.
» [- May 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM -] Susansays: Wow!
» [- Jun 2, 2009 at 6:46 PM -] Bethsays: loved the delay in the axel.
» [- Jun 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM -] Suesays: What a great delayed axel. Why don't skaters do that today? It seems to me that takes allot of skill that is missing in skating today. What about that blur spin? Cool! -- I miss those!
» [- Jun 29, 2009 at 1:41 PM -] Rhondasays: WOW
» [- Aug 25, 2009 at 11:11 PM -] Daphne Solissays: The delayed axel was great! The triple axel was amazing....some of the technique does look very familiar from videos I have been watching on icoachskating.com, but does he really not lock out his landing leg until right before he lands on it? It's tough for me to tell, I can't do slow-mo and I seem to be missing it when I just hit pause. Amazing!
» [- Sep 21, 2009 at 10:11 PM -] Melodiesays: What a skater! Who was his coach?
» [- Sep 22, 2009 at 6:49 PM -] skatehappysays: wow. That is WOW
» [- Sep 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM -] pdxicearcsays: Wow! I loved the big open axel too. You do not see that any more with IJS!! I wish we could go back to the old 6.0 system or find a way to value large beautiful jumps like that. Great technique on the triple axel. Notice how the landing was done back then with right arm forward instead of in checked position.
» [- Oct 6, 2009 at 7:18 AM -] Carlesa says: Amazing...
» [- Oct 25, 2009 at 1:48 AM -] Denissays: No one noticed that he rotated clockwise on his jumps and spins. I find very few instructional video's for clockwise skaters like me. Amazingly performed elements for 1957... nothing is much better than that today.
» [- Nov 16, 2009 at 11:17 AM -] Karensays: A 52 year old film clip that gives me goose bumps! Wonderful piece of history, so glad it's archived.
» [- Dec 31, 2009 at 9:11 AM -] Lyndasays: Great video! Amazing triple axel for 1957, but I really loved the spin as well. Flying camel into a jump forward sit spin.
» [- Jan 1, 2010 at 1:53 AM -] Jensays: Wonderful piece of history!
» [- Jan 8, 2010 at 9:52 AM -] Stewart Feinstein - UKsays: Ha Ha - I have seen this before. He wasnt the only one to do amazing jumps at this time. I believe Ronnie Robertson amongst others also performed many triple jumps back then. Stewart
» [- Jan 10, 2010 at 7:13 AM -] Claudiasays: Love the delayed axel. Wish we saw more of those these days.
» [- Jan 13, 2010 at 5:41 AM -] Vojislavasays: And he was also practicing figures all the time...
» [- Jan 13, 2010 at 11:16 PM -] clwongosays: Wow =o)
» [- Jan 14, 2010 at 1:52 PM -] Kerrisays: Just for some fun... I am bringing that delayed Axel to practice tonight! Should be interesting!?!
» [- Jan 15, 2010 at 6:15 PM -] Donnasays: The roller skater doing the triple axel is amazing. Watch his arms on the take off.....they're straight out to the side! I wonder if it's the weight of the actually roller skates that makes it so easy to rotate.
» [- Jan 18, 2010 at 10:08 PM -] quentinsays: Like to see that with the dartfisk over lay
» [- Jan 19, 2010 at 5:25 AM -] Lisasays: Really interesting to see!!! Loved the video...it makes me want to watch more
» [- Jan 31, 2010 at 4:15 AM -] nataschasays: awesome!!! i really like the spin aswell!
» [- Feb 10, 2010 at 11:14 AM -] Richard Hartleysays: fun to watch...what a talented man in weaker equipment.
» [- Feb 16, 2010 at 4:25 PM -] Nikkisays: I wonder how many jumps he practiced in 1 day's training. Do you think he did as many jumps each day as our skaters today? Awesome clip!
» [- Apr 21, 2010 at 5:48 PM -] mercedessays: how high do skaters have to jump to land a triple Axel?????
