U.S. figure skater Alysa Liu said that landing a triple axel is more difficult during competition than it is during practice [1].
This distinction highlights the gap between technical proficiency and competitive execution. For elite skaters, the ability to perform a high-difficulty jump in a controlled environment does not always translate to success under the scrutiny of international judges.
During an interview with TIME100 Sports, Liu said she faces psychological hurdles when performing the jump in front of a crowd [1]. She said that the environment of a competition introduces variables that are absent during her training sessions [2].
"In competition the pressure and the stakes make it a lot harder to land a triple axel than when I'm just practicing," Liu said [2].
Liu said that the presence of judges creates a specific type of mental burden. This cognitive load requires her to manage multiple technical aspects simultaneously, while remaining aware of how she is being perceived [1].
"I have to focus on every single element – the jump, the landing, the judges' eyes on me – which adds a mental load you don’t feel in practice," Liu said [1].
Because the triple axel is one of the most challenging jumps in women's figure skating, the margin for error is slim. The combination of physical exertion and mental stress can disrupt the precise timing required to complete the rotations and land cleanly [1, 2].
“"In competition the pressure and the stakes make it a lot harder to land a triple axel than when I'm just practicing."”
Liu's comments underscore the role of sports psychology in elite athletics. The 'mental load' she describes illustrates that technical mastery is only one part of a successful performance; the ability to mitigate the effects of high-stakes pressure is what separates consistent podium finishers from those who excel primarily in practice.
