Salchow

[ sal-kou ]

noun

, Ice Skating.

1. a jump in which the skater leaps from the back inside edge of one skate, making one full rotation of the body in the air, and lands on the back outside edge of the other skate.

salchow

/ ˈsɔːlkəʊ /

noun

1. a figure-skating jump made from the inner backward edge of one foot with one, two, or three full turns in the air, returning to the outer backward edge of the opposite foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of Salchow¹

1920–25; after Ulrich Salchow (1877–1949), Swedish figure skater, who first performed it

Word History and Origins

Origin of Salchow¹

C20: named after Ulrich Salchow (1877–1949), Swedish figure skater, who originated it

Example Sentences

Hanyu’s first jump, a planned quadruple Salchow, was only a single, and he received no points for it.

From Time

More About Salchow

What does Salchow mean?

A Salchow (pronounced SAL-cow) is a figure skating jump in which the skater jumps from the back inside edge of one skate, fully rotates (at least once) in the air, and lands on the back outside edge of the other skate. It is sometimes spelled uncapitalized, as salchow.

The jump can be performed with multiple rotations, resulting in a double Salchow (two rotations), triple Salchow (three rotations), or quad (or quadruple) Salchow (four rotations).

The Salchow is one of the six recognized jumps in competitive figure skating and is classified as an edge jump (along with the loop and axel; the toe loop, Lutz, and flip are classified as toe jumps).

Example: She had some trouble with the Salchow in warmups, which is unusual for her, but I expect her to nail it during the routine.

Where does Salchow come from?

The first records of the word Salchow come from the 1920s. It is named for Ulrich Salchow, a Swedish figure skater who first performed the jump.

Salchow was a legendary skater who won the first Olympic gold medal in men’s figure skating at the 1908 Olympics in London—as well as multiple world championships.

The figure skating jumps known as the axel and the Lutz are also named for famous figure skaters. The tradition of naming a move after the athlete who originated or popularized it is also common in gymnastics.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to Salchow?

• salchow (uncapitalized spelling)

What are some words that share a root or word element with Salchow? 

• double Salchow
• triple Salchow
• quad Salchow

What are some words that often get used in discussing Salchow?

• figure skating
• jump
• Lutz
• Axel
• toe loop
• flip
• loop
• toe pick
• rotation
• single
• double
• triple
• quad

How is Salchow used in real life?

Figure skating fans are familiar with the Salchow as one of the six jumps in figure skating. The jump known as the axel is perhaps more well-known among casual spectators.

15-year-old Kamila Valiyeva completed not 1, but 2 quads: a quad salchow and a quad toe (with a triple toe combination).

Oh, and by the way, there was also a triple axel thrown in there.

Read more via @OnHerTurf:#FigureSkating | #WinterOlympics2022 https://t.co/9YJFXbOYLe

— Alex Azzi (@AlexAzziNBC) February 7, 2022

RT if you think that throw quadruple salchow by @MarissaCastelli and @SimonShnapir took GUTS!

— U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) February 13, 2014

D. Samohin (ISR) has withdrawn from the Men's event at #SkateAmerica during the Free Skating due to medical reasons. He injured himself in a fall on a quad Salchow. We wish a quick recovery. #GPFigure #figureskate

— ISU Figure Skating (@ISU_Figure) November 25, 2017

 

Try using Salchow!

True or False? 

The Salchow is named for Swedish figure skater Ulrich Salchow.