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U.S. Figure Skating: Through the Years
1920-1929
The Twenties
The decade marked the beginning of the United States Figure Skating Association, known today as U.S. Figure Skating. Though American skating organizations existed informally in decades earlier, USFSA and its seven charter clubs were officially recognized on April 4, 1921, in New York City. The association soon after became part of the International Skating Union, and the first edition of SKATING, the association’s publication of record, was published.
March 20,
1914
U.S. Crowns First Champion
Theresa Weld became the first U.S. ladies champion at the competition in New Haven, Connecticut. She went on to win the first U.S. Olympic medal (bronze) in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium (This occurred at the Olympic Summer Games).
April 4,
1921
United States Figure Skating Association Forms
There were seven charter member clubs: Philadelphia SC and Humane Society, New York SC, The SC of Boston, Beaver Dam Winter Sports Club, Chicago FSC, Twin City FSC and Sno Birds of Lake Placid.
Dec. 3,
1921
A. Winsor Weld Becomes President
A. Winsor Weld served as the first president of the United States Figure Skating Association from 1921 to 1925.
April 1,
1923
United States Joins ISU
The United States Figure Skating Association became a member of the International Skating Union.
Dec. 1,
1923
SKATING Publishes First Edition
First issue of SKATING magazine was published. Theresa Weld Blanchard and Nathaniel Niles served as co-editors. It was originally published three times annually.
Jan. 31,
1924
U.S. Wins Medal at First Olympic Winter Games
Beatrix Loughran won the first Olympic Winter Games figure skating medal (silver) for the U.S. in Chamonix, France. She also won the country’s first World medal that year (bronze) in Oslo, Norway. The team sailed to Paris.
March 27,
1928
Vinson and Turner Begin Record Streaks
Maribel Vinson won the first of nine U.S. ladies titles. She shares that record with Michelle Kwan. Roger Turner secured the first of seven consecutive U.S. men’s titles. He shares that record with Dick Button.
Maribel Vinson was a nine-time U.S. ladies champion.
Roger Turner won seven consecutive U.S. men’s titles.
1930-1939
The Thirties
In a decade defined by the Great Depression, the United States welcomed the World Championships and the Olympic Games for the first time. Families around the country were treated to traveling ice shows, such as the Ice Follies. The popularity of the sport spread west as clubs and rinks in the Midwest and Pacific Coast became fixtures.
Feb. 5,
1930
World Championships Visit the Big Apple
The U.S. hosted its first World Championships in New York City. Roger Turner won the first of two consecutive silver medals. Maribel Vinson claimed bronze, while Beatrix Loughran and Sherwin Badger secured the bronze in pairs.
Feb. 15,
1932
Olympics Come to Lake Placid
The U.S. hosted the 1932 Olympics in Lake Placid — a first for America. Maribel Vinson earned a bronze medal. Beatrix Loughran and Sherwin Badger earned silver in pairs. Badger served as USFSA president while competing.
August,
1932
Summer Skating Begins
Summer skating started in Lake Placid following a highly successful Olympics. The first Lake Placid Summer Dance Competition took place as well.
Nov. 1,
1936
Vinson Appears on SKATING Cover
Maribel Vinson was the first person to appear on the cover of SKATING. Until then, the national medal graced every cover. While still competing, Vinson became the first woman sportswriter at The New York Times.
Nov. 7,
1936
Ice Follies and Ice Capades Debut
Ice Follies debuted in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1940, the Ice Capades was born. Both traveling ice shows went on to change family entertainment for decades. Entertainers such as Frick and Frack became household names.
Sept. 3,
1937
Norwegian-born Henie takes America by storm
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and 10-time World champion Sonja Henie became a huge hit in America as a competitive skater, performer and actress. Her first of a dozen films for Twentieth Century-Fox, Thin Ice, was released on Sept. 3, 1937.
1940-1949
The Forties
World War II had a deep impact on skating internationally, but the United States and the USFSA emerged stronger than ever. Dick Button led the charge known as “The Golden Age of American Skating,” a 14-year run of U.S. dominance abroad. At the end of the decade, Frank Zamboni unveiled the “Model A” Zamboni ice resurfacer, which literally changed the skating landscape.
June,
1940
More Cities Begin Summer Skating
Lake Placid conducted its ninth summer skating season. St. Paul, Minnesota, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, held their third summer sessions. Sun Valley, Idaho (pictured above), held its second. New arrivals on the summer scene were Rochester, Minnesota, and Hollywood, California.
Feb. 12,
1941
U.S. Wins Fours Event
The 10th North American Championships pitting the U.S. versus Canada took place in Philadelphia. The Canadians won the ladies, men's and pairs events, while the U.S. won the Fours event for the first time ever.
March 8,
1943
West Coast Ice Dancers Win
Marcella May and Jimmy Lochead of San Francisco made history as the first ice dancers from the West Coast to win a U.S. title. All previous winners in dance had been from East Coast.
March,
1946
Radix Pins Become Tradition
Former Chicago FSC President Harry Radix began to informally present Radix skate pins to medalists of the U.S. Championships, World Championships, North American Championships and Olympics. The coveted pins for the champions have a diamond in the toe.
March,
1947
Golden Age of Figure Skating Begins
The Golden Age of American Skating began (1947-1961) with Dick Button leading the way. The U.S. Championships were held for the first time on the Pacific Coast, at Berkeley Iceland.
Feb. 8,
1948
Button Wins Olympic Title
Eighteen-year-old American Dick Button won the Olympic title in St. Moritz, Switzerland. He led the field after the compulsory figures and then won the gold medal by becoming the first person to ever complete a double Axel in competition.
Dick Button is a two-time Olympic champion.
Dick Button is also a five-time World and seven-time U.S. champion.
June,
1949
Zamboni Debuts
Frank Zamboni debuted his “Model A” Zamboni ice resurfacer at his Iceland Skating Rink in Paramount, California. Norwegian skating star and actress Sonja Henie bought one soon after for her traveling ice show and called it the “Little Monster.”
A picture of the original Model A Ice Resurfacing Machine.
1950-1959
The Fifties
“The Golden Age of American Skating” hit its peak. Between 1950 and 1959, U.S. skaters won 55 medals at the World Championships and Olympic Winter Games. Dick Button continued to push the sport forward and became the first skater to land a triple jump. Greats such as Tenley Albright, Carol Heiss, Hayes Alan Jenkins and David Jenkins followed in Button’s footsteps. Ice dance made its debut at the World Championships.
Notable accomplishments this decade
Think we missed something? Let us know!
March 7,
1950
Kennedys Win World Pairs Title
Karol and Peter Kennedy became the first American pair to win a World title when they claimed gold in the United Kingdom. They are still just one of two teams to accomplish the feat (Babilonia/Gardner, 1979).
May,
1950
Dwyer Begins Career as Mr. Debonair
Richard Dwyer commences his show career as Mr. Debonair as a cast member of the Ice Follies.
Feb. 21,
1952
Button Takes Olympic Gold Again
Dick Button became one of three men (now, four) to win multiple Olympic gold medals in figure skating, and the first to perform a triple jump (loop) in competition.
Dick Button, center, wins his second Olympic title. U.S. teammate Jimmy Grogan, right, claimed bronze and Austria’s Heimut Seibt earned silver.
The 1952 U.S. Olympic Team (back row, l-r) Ted Patterson, Dick Button, John Nightingale, Peter Kennedy, Hayes Jenkins, James Grogan, Harry Radix; (front row, (l-r) Tenley Albright, Janet Gerhauser, Virginia Baxter, Karol Kennedy, Sonya Klopfer
Feb. 1,
1956
U.S. Men Sweep Olympic Podium
U.S. skaters Hayes Jenkins, Ronald Robertson and David Jenkins made history in Italy, leading the United States to the only sweep of a modern Olympic podium in figure skating history.
Hayes Jenkins and younger brother David kept the U.S. on top of the world stage for nearly a decade.
Ronald Robertson won the silver medal at the 1956 Olympic Winter Games.
The 1956 U.S. Olympic Team (back row, l-r) Harry Radix, David Jenkins, Robin Greiner, Hayes Jenkins, Sully Kothman, Ronnie Robertson, Ted Patterson; (front row, l-r) Carol Heiss, Catherine Machado, Lucille Ash, Carole Ormaca, Tenley Albright
Feb. 2,
1956
Albright Makes History at the Olympics
Tenley Albright became the first American lady to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating at the 1956 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Tenley Albright is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning gold in 1956 and silver in 1952.
In addition to her Olympic success, Albright won the 1953 and 1955 World titles.
Feb. 18,
1956
Carol Heiss Begins Record Title Streak
In Germany, Carol Heiss won her first of five World Championships, an American record that she shares today with Michelle Kwan. Heiss won all five World titles consecutively.
March 2,
1957
David Jenkins Wins Worlds in Colorado Springs
The 1957 World Championships were held in the United States for just the second time, with this iteration taking place at the Broadmoor Ice Palace in Colorado Springs. David Jenkins won the first of three World titles at this event.
David Jenkins is the 1960 Olympic champion, the 1956 Olympic bronze medalist, a three-time World champion, and a four-time U.S. champion.
A flyer for the 1957 World Figure Skating Championships.
1960-1969
The Sixties
Tragedy struck in 1961 when Sabena Flight 548 crashed, killing the entire U.S. delegation traveling to the World Championships in Prague. It was Peggy Fleming’s gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games, which officially marked a return of American skating to the world stage. From the tragedy arose the U.S. Figure Skating Memorial Fund, a legacy that helps current skaters reach their goals on and off the ice.
Feb. 23,
1960
Heiss Wins Gold; Fans Able to Watch from Afar
Carol Heiss won the Olympic gold medal on home soil (Squaw Valley, California) in the first Olympic Games to be televised. She had a New York City ticker tape parade thrown in her honor.
Carol Heiss is the 1960 Olympic champion, which was her second Olympic appearance (silver, 1956)
In 1953, Heiss was the first female skater to land a double Axel.
In 1960, Heiss became on of three ladies to have won five consecutive World Championships.
Upon her arrival back in the United States, Heiss was thrown a classic, New York City ticker tape parade.
Feb. 15,
1961
Tragic Plane Crash Kills 1961 World Team
A tragedy shook the figure skating world when Sabena Flight 548, carrying the 1961 U.S. World Team to the World Championships in Prague, crashed about 45 minutes outside of Brussels. The Memorial Fund was created from this tragedy.
May 26,
1961
Heiss Stars in Snow White and the Three Stooges
Carol Heiss, fresh off an Olympic gold medal, played the female lead in the 1961 film Snow White and the Three Stooges.
Jan. 1,
1964
Shield Logo Makes Debut
In 1964, the Association's "shield" logo was released. This remained the official logo until the organizational rebrand in 2003.
March 2,
1965
Colorado Springs Plays Host to Worlds Again
For the third time, Colorado Springs played host to the World Championships, where the U.S. earned four medals, including Peggy Fleming's bronze (pictured). The prestigious event has been held in Colorado Springs five times.
Jan. 27,
1966
Wilson Wins U.S. Title
Atoy Wilson was the first Black skater to win a U.S. title (novice) in 1966. The previous year, Wilson was also the first Black skater to qualify for the U.S. Championships.
Oct. 22,
1966
Josephs Awarded Olympic Bronze Medal
After much controversy, U.S. pairs bronze medalists Vivian and Ronald Joseph earned the bronze medal at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria.
The Josephs initially finished fourth at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games.
The Josephs began competing together in the late 1950s.
Feb. 10,
1968
Fleming Wins Gold, Marks Return of American Skating
Peggy Fleming’s gold medal in 1968 marked the return of American skating to world prominence after the tragedy of 1961. Tim Wood also medaled, earning silver in Grenoble, France. Watch Fleming remember that day.
After her skating career, Fleming became a television commentator.
Peggy Fleming won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Winter Games. She finished sixth in 1964.
Feb. 18,
1968
Ice Dance Takes Center Stage
Ice dance premieres as a demonstration event at the 1968 Olympic Winter Games in Grenoble, France. Judy Schwomeyer and Jim Sladky (pictured) represented the U.S.
Feb. 25,
1969
Worlds Held in United States for Fifth Time
The World Figure Skating Championships returned to the United States, specifically Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the second time in the decade. Tim Wood (pictured) won the first of two World men's titles.
May,
1969
Champions on Ice Hits the Road
Champions on Ice (originally known as the Tour of World Figure Skating Champions), the brain child of preeminent skating tour owner/producer Tom Collins, begins a nearly four-decade run playing to packed arenas.
1970-1979
The Seventies
U.S. Figure Skating celebrated its 50th anniversary. The association’s headquarters moved to its current home of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Computers started being used to tabulate results. Dorothy Hamill became known as “America’s sweetheart.” Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner won Worlds, a first for U.S. pairs in 29 years. Flaming Leaves International, which later became Skate America, debuted in Lake Placid, New York. Ice dance made its Olympic debut.
Nov. 29,
1971
U.S. Figure Skating Celebrates 50th Anniversary
U.S. Figure Skating celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala exhibition at Madison Square Garden. Dick Button emceed the event, which was later televised.
Tenley Albright performs at the 50th anniversary gala at Madison Square Garden.
Carol Heiss Jenkins and Hayes Jenkins performs at the 50th anniversary gala at Madison Square Garden.
JoJo Starbuck and Ken Shelley performs at the 50th anniversary gala at Madison Square Garden.
Jan. 13,
1972
Computerized Scoring Comes to U.S. Championships
The 1972 U.S. Championships used a computer to calculate results. The scoring software, called “Hal,” was written by Al Beard in FORTRAN.
Jan. 14,
1972
Michelle McCladdie and Richard Ewell Win U.S. Junior Pairs Title
Michelle McCladdie and Richard Ewell became the first Black pairs team to win a U.S. title when they were crowned junior champions at the 1972 competition in Long Beach, California. Ewell was also the U.S. junior men’s champion in 1970.
Jan. 16,
1972
Shelley Makes History
Kenneth Shelley won U.S. titles in senior men and pairs (with JoJo Starbuck) to become the first post-war athlete to qualify for the Olympics in two disciplines.
Shelley won the singles title at the 1972 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Ken Shelley and Jojo Starbuck won three U.S. titles together.
Starbuck and Shelley competed in two Olympic Winter Games, finishing 13th in 1968 and fourth in 1972, and won two bronze medals at the World Figure Skating Championships.
March 4,
1975
U.S. Hosts Worlds for Sixth Time
The World Figure Skating Championships returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for a sixth time. Dorothy Hamill, and the ice dance team of Colleen O'Connor and Jim Millns lead U.S. charge at Worlds, both winning silver medals. (Pictured is free skate winner Terry Kubicka)
Jan. 9,
1976
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner Win First U.S. Title
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner won their first of five U.S. pairs titles in 1976, making Babilonia the first Black skater to win a U.S. title at the senior level.
Feb. 4,
1976
Ice Dance Makes Olympic Competitive Debut
Ice dancing made its Olympic competitive debut in Innsbruck, Austria. Americans Colleen O’Connor and James Millns earned bronze.
Feb. 14,
1976
Hamill Tops Podium
Dorothy Hamill won Olympic gold at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Three weeks later, Hamill won the World title.
Dorothy Hammill won both the Olympic and World titles in 1976.
In addition to her Olympic success, Hamill won U.S. titles in 1974, 1975 and 1976.
March 15,
1979
Babilonia and Gardner Take World Title
Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner became the first Americans to win a World pairs title since 1950.
Sept. 20,
1979
Flaming Leaves Invitational Takes Place
The U.S. held the Flaming Leaves International (a.k.a. Norton Skate, for sponsor Norton Company) in Lake Placid, New York, as the test event for the 1980 Olympics. The event would become Skate America in 1981.
Oct. 6,
1979
Headquarters Moves to Colorado Springs
U.S. Figure Skating moved its headquarters from Boston to Colorado Springs. It had to create an entire staff from scratch, since no one on the Boston staff wanted to move. The building was dedicated on Oct. 6, 1979, by U.S. Figure Skating President Charles DeMore.
1980-1989
The Eighties
The start of the decade marked the beginning of U.S. Figure Skating’s relationship with ABC, which secured the association’s financial future in an affiliation that lasted until 2007. Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano carried men’s skating to the top, while Debi Thomas broke color barriers as the first African American Olympic Winter Games medalist. The Haydenettes commenced their dynasty run.
Jan. 20,
1980
Joan Campbell Becomes First African American to Win Ladies Event at the U.S. Championships
Joan Campbell became the first Black skater to win a ladies event at the U.S. Championships. She bested another Black skater – Debi Thomas – to win the novice crown.
Feb. 13,
1980
Winter Olympics Head to Lake Placid for the Second Time
The 1980 Olympic Winter Games took place in Lake Placid, New York. This was the second time the event took place in the upstate New York town (1932).
October,
1980
U.S. Figure Skating lands television deal with ABC
At the October 1980 Board of Directors meeting, Chairman of the Television and Commercial Sponsorship Committee William J. Brennan, Jr., announced a landmark deal with ABC to cover televising the national and sectional championships for the years 1981-1985, helping to secure the organization’s financial future.
March 3,
1981
Hartford Hosts the World Championships
The United States hosted the 1981 World Championships in Hartford, Connecticut. This was the seventh time the U.S. hosted the event, and the second time on the East Coast.
May 14,
1983
George Takashi Yonekura Becomes First Asian-American president of U.S. Figure Skating
Yonekura became interested in figure skating in 1958 when his daughter, Lynn, began lessons. He was first elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Executive Committee nearly a decade later.
Feb. 8,
1984
Scott Hamilton Wins Olympic Title in Sarajevo
Scott Hamilton became the fourth American man to win an Olympic title at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, wearing his iconic red and blue suit.
May 6,
1984
First U.S. Precision Team Championships Commence in Bowling Green, Ohio
Since Dr. Richard Porter first organized a team of skaters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1956, synchronized skating continued to grow in the United States and around the world. The Fraserettes became the first U.S. champions at the 1984 U.S. Precision Team Championships.
Jan. 31,
1985
Tiffany Chin Wins U.S. Ladies Title
Tiffany Chin became the first Asian American to win a U.S. senior singles title when she was crowned the ladies champion at the 1985 U.S. Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Chin is also the first Asian American to claim a World medal, taking bronze in 1985 and 1986. Of note, Suggie Oh won the U.S. novice ladies title in 1983, becoming the first Asian American to win a U.S. ladies title (she was the youngest competitor in any discipline at that year's competition).
Aug. 24,
1985
First Collegiate National Championships are held in Lake Placid
The first Collegiate National Championships took place Aug. 24-25, 1985, in Lake Placid, New York. Robert Rosenbluth (Emory University) won the men’s event, and Kathaleen Kelly (Harvard College) won the ladies event.
Feb. 8,
1986
Debi Thomas Wins U.S. Title
Debi Thomas made history at the 1986 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, held in Uniondale, New York, where she became the first Black skater to win a senior U.S. ladies title.
July 15,
1986
Inaugural Goodwill Games Includes Figure Skating
Figure skating appeared at the inaugural Goodwill Games in July 1986 as an exhibition sport and was the only winter sport included in the event. The event, held in Moscow from July 5-20, was broadcasted through the Turner Broadcasting System.
Feb. 20,
1988
Brian Boitano Wins Gold, U.S. Wins Three Medals in Calgary
Brian Boitano became the fifth American man to claim the Olympic title, winning the legendary “Battle of the Brians.” Thomas became the first Black athlete to win any medal (bronze) at an Olympic Winter Games during the epic “Battle of the Carmens.” Jill Watson and Peter Oppegard also earned a bronze medal in pairs.
The Battle of the Brians at the 1988 Winter Olympics was the highlight of Boitano's career.
In addition to winning the Olympic bronze medal, Watson and Oppegard were three time U.S. champions.
May 13,
1989
Kristi Yamaguchi Wins Inaugural SKATING Magazine Readers’ Choice Award
Dale Mitch, editor of SKATING, awarded Kristi Yamaguchi with the first SKATING magazine Readers’ Choice Award for the Amateur Figure Skater of the Year at a luncheon during the 1989 Governing Council.
1990-1999
The Nineties
A ladies podium sweep at the 1991 World Championships by Kristi Yamaguchi, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan set the tone for American success throughout the decade, with names like Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski soon to follow. Claire Ferguson became the first female president of U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating signed an extension with ABC — the largest of its kind in sports at the time.
Feb. 16,
1991
Tonya Harding Becomes First American Lady to Land a Triple Axel
Tonya Harding made history in Minneapolis at the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships when she landed a triple Axel in her free skate. She became the first U.S. lady to land the jump.
March 17,
1991
Yamaguchi Wins First World Title in American Podium Sweep
Kristi Yamaguchi won her first World title at the 1991 World Championships in Munich. Also, U.S. ladies swept the World podium. Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan earned the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
March 29,
1992
Yamaguchi Wins Olympic Gold, Clinches Back-to-Back World Titles
Kristi Yamaguchi became the first Asian American to win a figure skating medal at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in Albertville, France with the gold. Nancy Kerrigan won bronze. A month later, Yamaguchi clinched her second World title in Oakland, California.
Oct. 9,
1992
Claire Ferguson Becomes First Female President of U.S. Figure Skating
Claire Ferguson became the first female president of U.S. Figure Skating. Ferguson acted as president until 1995.
Jan. 18,
1993
Tucker and Singley Medal in Ice Dance
Tiffani Tucker and Franklyn Singley became the first African American ice dance medalists at the 1993 U.S. Championships in Phoenix. They earned the junior bronze medal, representing the Arctic Blades and Winterhurst Figure Skating Clubs.
Jan. 6,
1994
Nancy Kerrigan Attacked at the 1994 U.S. Championships
After a practice session in Detroit, an assailant struck Nancy Kerrigan on her knee and ran away. She was forced to withdraw from the 1994 U.S. Championships, taking place at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. She was later named to the 1994 Olympic team. Officials later connected the attack to Tonya Harding.
March 12,
1994
Nancy Kerrigan Hosts Saturday Night Live
Nancy Kerrigan hosted Saturday Night Live a month after earning silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics. In her skit, she made light of the January attack that forced her to withdraw from the U.S. Championships. She also performed a satire pairs routine with comedian Chris Farley.
April 20,
1995
First U.S. Adult Championships Takes Place in Wilmington, Delaware
The first U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships welcomed 421 competitors (over 25 years old) to Wilmington, Delaware. There were also trade show exhibits, educational seminars and social events.
Jan. 20,
1996
Rudy Galindo Becomes First Openly Gay Skater to Win the U.S. Championships
Rudy Galindo won the 1996 U.S. Championships in his hometown of San Jose, California, becoming the first openly gay skater to win the event.
Jan. 21,
1996
Michelle Kwan Wins First of Nine U.S. Titles
Michelle Kwan won her first U.S. title at the 1996 U.S. Championships in San Jose, California. She went on to win eight more titles, tying the record of Maribel Vinson.
March 23,
1996
Michelle Kwan Wins Her First World Title
At the 1996 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, Michelle Kwan won her first of five World titles. She is tied with Carol Heiss for the most World titles held by an American lady.
March 23,
1997
Tara Lipinski Becomes Youngest World Champion
Tara Lipinski won the 1997 World title in Lausanne, Switzerland, at age 14. She was the youngest World champion, an accolade she still holds today.
Feb. 20,
1998
Tara Lipinski Becomes Youngest Olympic Champion
Tara Lipinski won the gold medal in the ladies event at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, becoming the youngest Winter Olympic champion at age 14, an accolade that she still holds today.
March 8,
1998
Timothy Goebel Becomes First U.S. Man to Land Quadruple Jump in Competition
Timothy Goebel leapt to win the 1998 Junior Series Final in Lausanne, Switzerland, with a quadruple Salchow, becoming the first man to land the jump and the first U.S. man to land any quadruple jump in competition.
March 29,
1998
Minneapolis Hosts Worlds, Americans Win Three Medals
For the 10th time, the United States hosted the World Championships. Michelle Kwan won her second World title, while both Tood Eldredge and the pair of Jenni Meno and Todd Sand took silver.
Michelle Kwan stands with silver medalist Irina Slutskaya (left) and bronze medalist Maria Butyrskaya (right).
Tood Eldredge is joined by Alexei Yagudin (center) and Evgeni Plushenko (right).
Jenni Meno and Todd Sand were married in 1995, and went on to win three World medals, including silver in 1998.
2000-2009
The 2000s
Team USA’s international prominence in ice dance began this decade, led by Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto who became the first team to win an Olympic medal in 30 years. A judging scandal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City led to the international judging system being created and adopted. U.S. Figure Skating debuted its new logo and the new U.S. Championships Trophy designed by Tiffany & Co.
April 5,
2000
United States Hosts First World Synchronized Skating Championships
The first World Synchronized Skating Championships welcomed 21 synchro teams from across the globe to Minneapolis. The Haydenettes and Team Elan represented the United States.
January,
2001
PSA Launches Hall of Fame
The Professional Skaters Association launched its coveted PSA Coaches Hall of Fame.
Edi Scholdan is pictured.
Feb. 21,
2002
Sarah Hughes Wins Olympic Gold
Sarah Hughes won the gold medal at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City at the age of 16 following a stunning free skate.
March 4,
2002
National Skating Month is Born
National Skating Week took place for the first time from March 4-10, 2002, with the theme “It’s Great to Skate.” The event evolved into National Skating Month, which now takes place every January.
March 24,
2003
U.S. Capital Hosts Worlds
Washington, D.C., welcomed the best skaters on the planet as the United States hosted the World Championships for the 11th time. Michelle Kwan won her fifth title and Timothy Goebel earned a silver medal.
Michelle Kwan won her final of five World title in Washington D.C.
Goebel earned the silver medal at two consecutive World Championships, including in Washington D.C.
May 7,
2003
Organization Unveils New Logo
In 2003, U.S. Figure Skating dropped the shield and adopted its current logo as part of an organizational re-branding. The logo rolled out on merchandise, documents and the new website throughout the remainder of 2003.
Jan. 16,
2005
U.S. Championships Trophy Unveiled
Designed by Tiffany and Co., the sterling silver U.S. Figure Skating Championships Trophy was first awarded at the 2005 U.S. Championships. The names of every U.S. champion since 1914 are engraved on it.
Feb. 20,
2006
Belbin and Agosto Earn Historic Olympic Ice Dance Medal
Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto won the silver medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, becoming the first American ice dance team to earn a medal at the Olympics in 30 years.
March 31,
2007
Miami University Earns First U.S. Medal at World Synchronized Skating Championships
Miami University won the silver medal at the 2007 World Synchronized Skating Championships in London, Ontario. It was the first World Synchronized Championships medal for the United States.
Jan. 23,
2008
Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir Tie at U.S. Championships
Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir tied at the 2008 U.S. Championships in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a score of 244.77. Lysacek’s free skate was scored higher by 1.35 points, giving him 2008 title.
May 20,
2008
Kristi Yamaguchi Wins Dancing With The Stars
Kristi Yamaguchi won season six of Dancing With The Stars with partner Mark Ballas. She was the first figure skater to win the Mirrorball Trophy.
Jan. 24,
2009
Meryl Davis and Charlie White Win First of Six Consecutive U.S. Ice Dance Titles
Meryl Davis and Charlie White won the first of six consecutive U.S. ice dance titles at the 2009 U.S. Championships in Cleveland. The record-holding duo went onto surpass five teams that had won five career titles.
March 23,
2009
Los Angeles Hosts World Championships, Lysacek Breaks Drought
For the 12th time, the United States hosted the World Championships, this time in Los Angeles. Evan Lysacek captured the men's title (the first American man to do so since Todd Eldredge did it in 1996), and Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto earned silver in ice dance.
Evan Lysacek was the first American man to win a World title since Todd Eldredge did in 1996.
Both Belbin and Agosto were inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2016.
2010-present
The 2010s
Meryl Davis and Charlie White became the first American Olympic and World champions in ice dance. Evan Lysacek put the U.S. on top of the men’s Olympic podium for the first time in 22 years. The U.S. earned a pair of bronze medals in the brand new Olympic Team Event. U.S. Figure Skating launched Learn to Skate USA, powered by Toyota, and signed a new media rights deal with NBC through 2026.
Feb. 18,
2010
Lysacek Wins Olympic Gold in Vancouver
Evan Lysacek put the United States back on top of the men’s Olympic podium for the first time in 22 years, narrowly beating reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko of Russia.
Evan Lysacek (center) stands on the podium with Evgeni Plushenko (left) and Daisuke Takahashi (right).
Evan Lysacek is the last American figure skater to win an individual men's medal at the Olympic Games.
In Vancouver in 2010, Lysacek finished second in the short program, but won the free skate, He won the gold medal by 1.31 points.
March 30,
2011
U.S. Ice Dancers Dominate World Podium
The United States claimed 11 World medals in the 2010s, more than any other country. Meryl Davis and Charlie White led the charge with four total medals (two golds, two silvers). SKATING wrote about this in 2011, 2016 and 2019.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the World Championships in 2011.
Maia and Alex Shibutani at the World Championships in 2011.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White at the World Championships in 2013.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates at the World Championships in 2015.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates at the World Championships in 2016.
Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue at the World Championships in 2018.
Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue at the World Championships in 2019.
April 30,
2011
Meryl Davis and Charlie White Make History at Worlds
Meryl Davis and Charlie White became the first U.S. ice dance team to win a World title (also won in 2013).
Feb. 9,
2014
First Olympic Team Event Takes Place in Sochi, Russia
The first Olympic Team Event kicked off figure skating competition at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The United States went home with the bronze medal.
Feb. 17,
2014
Davis and White Win Olympic Gold
Meryl Davis and Charlie White became first American ice dance team to capture the gold medal, beating the Canadians by more than four points at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White posted record scores in both of their programs en route to their the first Olympic gold medal.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White were the first American ice dance tandem to win an Olympic gold medal.
Meryl Davis and Charlie White were the 2014 Olympic champions, the 2010 Olympic silver medalists, two-time World champions, five-time Grand Prix Final champions, three-time Four Continents champions and six-time U.S. champions.
April 2,
2016
United States Hosts World Championships in Boston
The United States hosted the World Championships for the 13th time, in Boston. Ashley Wagner put Team USA back on the ladies podium for the first time in 10 years, earning silver.
With her silver medal in 2016, Ashley Wagner was the first American lady to win a Worlds medal since Kimmie Meisner won the title in 2006.
Maia and Alex Shibutani won their second World medal in 2016 in Boston, earning the silver medal. The duo would win another medal (bronze) in 2017.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates won their second career World medal in Boston in 2016.
June 1,
2016
Learn to Skate USA Launches
Learn to Skate USA, powered by Toyota, launched in 2016 with the mission to provide a fun, positive experience that will instill a lifelong love of skating.
Feb. 20,
2018
Team USA Makes History and Sets Records in PyeongChang
Maia and Alex Shibutani became the first ice dance team of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics (bronze) while the U.S. earned bronze in the Team Event. Also, Nathan Chen won the free skate with a record six quads, Mirai Nagasu landed a triple Axel and Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim completed a quad twist.
The bronze medal winning U.S. team celebrates their medal (left-right): Nathan Chen, Adam Ripppon, Mirai Nagasu, Bradie Tennell, Alexa Knierim, Chris Knierim, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani.
Maia and Alex Shibutani won the bronze medal at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
After a disappointing short program, Nathan Chen responded with a record-setting free skate. He was the first man to attempt six quad and land five cleaning in a free skate. His score of 215.08 was the highest in Olympic history.
Alexa and Chris Knierim became the first U.S. pair to do a quad twist at the Olympic Winter Games.
March 17,
2018
Skyliners Junior Win First World Junior Medal for Team USA in Zagreb, Croatia
The Skyliners Junior team earned the silver medal at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2018, marking the first U.S. podium finish at the event. They also earned bronze in 2019.
Skyliners Junior earned the silver medal at the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, the first World Junior medal for the United States.
Skyliners Junior collected their second World Junior medal the next year, grabbing the bronze medal at the 2019 event in Neuchatel, Switzerland.
March 24,
2018
Nathan Chen Wins First World Title with Eight Quads
Nathan Chen won his first World title in Milan, landing a record eight quads throughout the competition. He would go on to win the World title in 2019 and 2021.
Nathan Chen performs a quad at the 2018 World Championships in Milan.
Nathan Chen won his first World title in 2018 in Milan.
Nathan Chen won his second World title in 2019 in Saitama, Japan.
Nathan Chen won his third consecutive World title in 2021 in Stockholm. The 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April,
2018
U.S. Figure Skating Signs NBC Media Rights Agreement Through 2026 Season
U.S. Figure Skating signed an eight-year extension of its broadcast rights agreement with NBC. Additionally, Ice Network, LLC, acquired all U.S. media rights for ISU competition through 2026.
Jan. 25,
2019
Alysa Liu Becomes Youngest U.S. Ladies Champion
Alysa Liu became the youngest U.S. ladies champion at just 13 years old in Detroit (also won in 2020). Later, she became the first U.S. lady to land a quadruple jump (Lutz) in international competition.
In 2019, Alysa Liu surpassed Tara Lipinksi as the youngest lady to win the U.S. title.
Alysa Liu became the first lady to win two consecutive U.S. titles in 2020, since Ashley Wagner did so in 2013.
July 1,
2019
Membership Surpasses 200K for the First Time
U.S. Figure Skating’s membership surpassed 200,000 for the first time in organizational history in 2019 with 203,023 members, including 144,476 Learn to Skate USA members.
Oct. 23,
2020
Las Vegas Hosts Skate America Without Spectators Due to Pandemic
In an unprecedented year, 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America became the first major figure skating event to be hosted in a bubble environment without spectators due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Championships was also hosted in a bubble in January 2021.
Read more about the Centennial Celebration
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