Why do figure skaters skate backwards to do their jumps?

Answer 1

There are six basic figure skating jumps: three edge jumps (Axel, loop and salchow), and three toe jumps (Lutz, flip and toe loop). All of the jumps take off backwards except for the Axel, which goes off of a forward outside edge.

Most jumps take off backwards because (a) the backward edges are more secure and you can get better speed and better push and (b) jumps are landed backwards, so when you do an Axel, you are actually doing an extra 1/2 rotation. For example, a triple Axel is really 3.5 rotations in the air, which makes it more difficult.