87-Year-Old Ice Skater Proves Age Is Just a Number

Yvonne Dowlen defies her 87 years, and credits ice skating every day to keeping her young. INSIDE EDITION caught up with the graceful grandmother.

Here is the video:
http://on.aol.com/video/87-year-old-ice-skater-proves-age-is-just-a-number-517653856

And here is the story that accompanies it:
http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/5714-staying-young-at-87-through-ice-skating


I just did a search for more stories about Yvonne, and there are quite a few out there.


Here is a story on the US Figure Skating website from 2007, when Yvonne competed in the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships – Master Junior Ladies IV & V competition as an 81 year-old!

http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=38373

Yvonne finished 5th out of the 5 competitors. But, fair play to her!

Incidentally, Yvonne's 44-year-old daughter also competed that year, but in the Master Senior Ladies III & IV competition. Sherry finished 3rd out of 6 competitors (well, it was really out of 5, as one competitor withdrew).

Here are the protocols:
http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/events/200607/usadultchamps/ladies-details.pdf


Also, here is a video that was recorded around the same time. Apologies that this is a link to a video on Facebook, but I cannot find the same video elsewhere.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=529995483733592


Finally, here is another video of Yvonne:

http://vimeo.com/45203461


I am totally in awe! I’m 60 years younger than Yvonne, and I know that I couldn’t do what she does!!!

CaroLiza_fan

Good for her!

She's very charming. Did you notice that one of her spins was in both directions?

I'll definitely follow her

TontoK said:

Good for her!

She's very charming. Did you notice that one of her spins was in both directions?

Click to expand...

Considering her age, she is very good! Although it was filmed 6 years ago, the Facebook video in particular showed off her skill very well. (For those that are not members of Facebook, you don't have to sign in to view this video)

But what really impressed me was her attitude to life. There are many people out there that would have given up on life by her age. But Yvonne has embraced life.

The statements she comes out with are refreshingly honest. She is so frank about everything. When explaining why she skates, she says "If I don't move, it won't move eventually". And, when assessing how she skates, "The legs don't go up as high, and the back doesn't bend as far... Too Bad!"

A lot of younger people could learn a lot from her!

cinnamon said:

I'll definitely follow her

Click to expand...

And so would I!

CaroLiza_fan

Her spirals are better than mine *shamefaced*