Malinin Reveals Backflip’s Mental Hurdle: More Daunting Than a Quad Axel
Olympic gold medalist Ilia Malinin revealed that the backflip, despite not being the most technically difficult jump, is more mentally challenging than a quad Axel. He attributes this to the inherent fear of going upside down, a sensation unfamiliar to most figure skaters. Malinin’s insights highlight the often-overlooked psychological aspect of the sport.