Elaine Zayak (CAN), the 1982 World champion and 1981 U.S. National champion, was the first woman to consistently land many triple jumps in her programs. Zayak lost three toes on her left foot (her takeoff foot) in a lawn mower accident at the age of two. On the advice of her doctors, she began figure skating as physical therapy. Her left boot was stabilized with a wood mold to compensate for the irregularity in the shape of her left foot.