"Nowadays, figure skating is largely about jumps and the impressiveness of how many spins you can make in the air. However, the jumps have not always been figure skating's most prominent feature. When did the jumps emerge, how, and why? Who invented them - if that is even possible to know? These questions are addressed in Ryan Stevens' book." - Anna Maria Hellborg, Department of Sport Sciences, Malmö University, Idrottsforum Much has been written about figure skating jumps over the years, but most of it has focused on technique. Precious little has been written from a historical perspective. Jam-packed with fascinating information about the origins and international evolution of figure skating jumps, "Technical Merit: A History of Figure Skating Jumps" includes: - Essays on the waltz jump, toe-loop, Salchow, loop, flip, Lutz, Axel, pairs throws, twists and side-by-side jumps. There is even a chapter devoted to the history of the backflip. - Data on a wide variety of technical firsts achieved under the International Skating Union's IJS system. - Dozens of compelling, little-known facts about the people who have been responsible for some of the biggest technical achievements in the world's most exciting winter sport. If you love figure skating, you will not be able to put this book down. Order your copy today!