L
Ladskater
Guest
How They Used To Skate
Here is a little bit of figure skating history. We are always arguing here on Golden Skate about who has the best spiral or layback spin, etc. Which skater today has the best flexibility or extension. Did you know that skating has evolved over the years to what it is today - in the early days of figure skating this is how skaters were taught to skate. Notice the well bent skating knee - still a basic skating technique taught today.
<img src="http://www.skatecanada.ca/english/about/fame/images/smith.jpg" style="border:0;"/>
Cecil Smith Hedstrom
Athlete
The record of success of this Toronto Skating Club star during the 1920s and 1930s truly vaulted Canada onto the world figure skating stage. In 1924, at the age of 15, she became the first Canadian female ever to participate at the Olympic Winter Games, doing so in both Ladies and Pairs. In 1925 and 1926 Canadian Senior Ladies champion and a member of 1925-1927 Canadian Fours title holders, she was the first Canadian to obtain the Gold Medal Test. Competing in the 1928 Olympics she earned a 5th place showing. Her greatest moment occurred in 1930 when, placing 2nd only to Sonja Henie, she claimed Canada's first ever World figure skating medal. Retiring from active competition, Cecil went on to coach in the United States and Canada, rounding out one of the most illustrious careers in early Canadian figure skating history.
Ladskater
Here is a little bit of figure skating history. We are always arguing here on Golden Skate about who has the best spiral or layback spin, etc. Which skater today has the best flexibility or extension. Did you know that skating has evolved over the years to what it is today - in the early days of figure skating this is how skaters were taught to skate. Notice the well bent skating knee - still a basic skating technique taught today.
<img src="http://www.skatecanada.ca/english/about/fame/images/smith.jpg" style="border:0;"/>
Cecil Smith Hedstrom
Athlete
The record of success of this Toronto Skating Club star during the 1920s and 1930s truly vaulted Canada onto the world figure skating stage. In 1924, at the age of 15, she became the first Canadian female ever to participate at the Olympic Winter Games, doing so in both Ladies and Pairs. In 1925 and 1926 Canadian Senior Ladies champion and a member of 1925-1927 Canadian Fours title holders, she was the first Canadian to obtain the Gold Medal Test. Competing in the 1928 Olympics she earned a 5th place showing. Her greatest moment occurred in 1930 when, placing 2nd only to Sonja Henie, she claimed Canada's first ever World figure skating medal. Retiring from active competition, Cecil went on to coach in the United States and Canada, rounding out one of the most illustrious careers in early Canadian figure skating history.
Ladskater
