Origins

The ISU dates the first international figure skating competition to Vienna, Austria, in 1882.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

The ISU was founded in 1892, which makes it the oldest governing international winter sport federation.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

The Dutch association called the meeting in July 1892, and the first Congress convened in Scheveningen.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

In July 1892 the Dutch association called a meeting of all countries interested in international skating.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

All fifteen delegates present at the first Congress came from Europe.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

With Canada's admission as a Member in 1894, the ISU looked beyond Europe.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · recall

The Hall of Fame was established in 1976, and its first class included Haines, Paulsen, Salchow and Henie.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame · recall

Norway 1863, Vienna 1882, the ISU in 1892 and Canada in 1894.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · applied

Growing competition created the need for standards; the Dutch call led to the Congress that set the first rules.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · applied

Of the four marks, C sits at the ISU's founding year; the others are the Norway race, Vienna and Canada's entry.

Source: ISU, History (isu.org) · applied

Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen performed the first Axel in 1882.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

The ten-time World champion created the Salchow in 1909.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

Germany's Werner Rittberger is credited with inventing the loop in 1910.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

The jump is named after Austrian skater Alois Lutz, who first performed it in 1913.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

The ISU credits Bruce Mapes of the United States with the toe loop in the 1920s.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

Of the six jumps, only the flip has no known inventor: the ISU says it is unclear who invented it.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · recall

Axel Paulsen was in the 1976 class; Werner Rittberger was inducted much later, in 2017.

Source: U.S. Figure Skating, World Figure Skating Hall of Fame · recall

Axel 1882, Salchow 1909, loop 1910, Lutz 1913.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · applied

Paulsen 1882, Salchow 1909, Rittberger 1910, Mapes in the 1920s.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · applied

C, Lo, is the loop, Rittberger's jump. A is the Axel, B the Salchow, D the Lutz.

Source: ISU, Figure skating jumps explained (isu-skating.com, 2026) · applied